Vladyslav Yesypenko

Vladyslav Yesypenko (born March 13, 1969) is a Ukrainian journalist who was arrested on March 10, 2021 by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB). (Crimea.Realities), a Ukrainian Service outlet of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) focusing on the Crimea.

On March 12, 2021, Yesypenko was charged with “illegal production, repair, or modification of firearms”. On July 15, 2021, Yesypenko was charged with “possession and transport of explosives”.

Yesypenko was not allowed independent legal representation. Lawyers retained by his family to represent him were denied access to him. The family's lawyers were told that Yesypenko had refused their assistance.

During his trial, Yesypenko stated that he was tortured during his imprisonment and forced to make a false confession, which he now rejected. This rating indicated "the most severe and damaging violations of media freedom, having a severe impact on media freedom".

The Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) presented a statement on Yesypenko's case during the 47th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in July 2021. A statement was also made to the Council by the delegation of Ukraine.

Yesypenko appealed to the Russian-established High Court of Crimea. On August 18, 2022, the High Court uphold his conviction but reduced his sentence to five years in prison, shortening it by one year. As of September 8, 2023, the European Union sanctioned two judges, a prosecutor and two FSB officers who were involved in the arrest, torture and prosecution of Vladyslav Yesypenko.

Release

On June 24, 2025, Yesypenko was released, after spending over four years of his original six-year sentence in prison. He rejoined his wife Kateryna and daughter Stefania in Prague.

In 2025, Yesypenko and Dmytro Khyliuk testified before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) about violations of international law against Ukrainian prisoners. Yesypenko’s broken glasses were included in an accompanying exhibition, “Press In Detention”. The exhibition listed twenty-six Ukrainian journalists as currently incarcerated by Russia.

Awards and honors 2021, Levko Lukianenko State Scholarship 2022, Ihor Lubchenko National Prize for the Protection of Freedom of Speech, National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. 2022, Free Media Award, Stiftelsen Fritt Ord and ZEIT-Stiftung 2022, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, PEN America