OSCE condemns Russian strikes on Ukrainian newsrooms

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Jan Braathu has condemned Russian drone attacks on 23 and 24 July 2026 that damaged the newsroom of the Bilopilshchyna newspaper in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast and injured a media worker, according to Ukraine’s Permanent Mission to the international organisations in Vienna, which published the OSCE representative’s statement.

Photo: social media

The statement noted that the Bilopilshchyna newsroom has been targeted by Russian aerial attacks six times. The OSCE also expressed support for the injured journalist and wished her a speedy recovery.

The statement also refers to other recent attacks on Ukrainian regional media, including damage to the newsroom of Kordon.Media in Sumy on 17 July and to Inform.zp.ua in Zaporizhzhia on 21 July.

“For the second time this month, I must stress that journalists and media workers are civilians under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted or attacked. International humanitarian law must be fully respected,” Braathu said.

To provide background, a Russian strike damaged the newsroom of the Bilopilshchyna newspaper in Bilopillia, Sumy Oblast, on 23 July.

You may also want to read: Russian drone attacks on civilians amount to crimes against humanity – UN Commission

In 2025, part of the newspaper’s staff was forced to leave Bilopillia because of persistent Russian attacks. After relocating, the journalists worked from the media hub operated by the Institute of Mass Information.

Earlier this month, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly included in the Hague Declaration a resolution on Russian war crimes against journalists and violations of media workers’ rights during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The declaration was adopted on 8 July at the conclusion of the Assembly’s 33rd Annual Session.

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