Verbal, online or physical attack: Online intimidation or smear
Prominent Russian investigative journalist Elena Milashina was targeted with threats and insults by the president of the Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, after she published an article questioning the preparedness of the republic’s hospitals for the coronavirus. Both the journalist and the newspaper she works for, Novaya Gazeta, were heavily criticized by Kadyrov live on social media. He insulted Milashina, accused her outlet of spreading disinformation, and called on the FSB and the Russian authorities to stop the journalists.