Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Russia has jailed a journalist for “intentionally spreading false information” about the Russian military and the war in Ukraine.

What’s the deal: Sergei Mikhailov, a journalist and editor at Listok, was sentenced by a Russian court to eight years in prison. Additionally, he has been banned from journalism for four years.

What did he report?: Mikhailov’s reporting that led to his imprisonment covered the murder of civilians in Bucha, near Kyiv, and the shelling in Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine. His stories directly challenged the official Russian narrative, which denies responsibility for these atrocities, instead accusing Ukraine of staging “false flag” operations.

Digging deeper: Mikhailov has previously said that his reporting was driven by a desire to counter Russian government propaganda, which he called a “virtual universe” of lies. However, Russian prosecutors claimed his actions stemmed from “political hatred,” accusing him of deliberately spreading false information about the military, leading to his sentencing.

More on Russia’s laws: Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin implemented new censorship laws criminalizing any statements or reports that discredit the Russian military or contradict the official government narrative, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison. The Kremlin also broadened the “foreign agents” law to include nonprofits, media outlets, journalists, and activists receiving foreign support, further suppressing dissent and press freedom.