No Free Speech in Ukraine: Russian Journalists Return Home After Their Arrests by Kiev Government
Special VGTRK correspondent Olga Yuriyeva and Channel One reporter Valentina Solovyova are back in Moscow. They were deported from Ukraine on May 9 because they allegedly threatened national security. Ukraine proceeds to fight local journalists who dared to broadcast the Victory Day celebration despite pressure and threats.
Andrey Grigoriev has the details.
The country house of one of the owners of Inter is under siege. Ukrainian nationalists are tagging the walls. Yesterday, they were blocking the channel's office. It's because Inter dared to broadcast how festively the country celebrated the Victory Day despite the official ideology.
It's a family holiday. I've discussed that with veterans and kids.
Anton Kokhanyuk, pupil: "I came here to give the flowers to the veterans".
Inter's footage clearly shows thousands of people marching to the Eternal Flame, and then in the Immortal Regiment, holding the portraits of their relatives who fought in WWII.
"We can't allow them to name our streets after Nazi criminals whose portraits are later carried by torchlight processions through our capital with impunity".
Inter's ratings skyrocketed. 13 million people, one in three Ukrainians watched the show.
"Thank you, Inter. Broadcasting the Victory Day is now considered an act of heroism. It's hard to believe we've come to this. Some scums have already blocked the channel. We're a disgrace of a European nation".
"Great job, Inter! Your broadcast is a feat worthy of our heroic ancestors!"
Many Ukrainians had the same reaction. Here's another Ukrainian channel News One. Together with the viewers, the hosts are singing Den' Pobedy (Victory Day).
Nowadays, it's almost considered treason in Ukraine. All Victory symbols are officially banned. The Verkhovna Rada demands to investigate into this mutiny on the national television.
However, no one seemed to notice this blooper. While broadcasting a show about WWII, the Ukrainian channel Pramiy displayed a subtitle saying that President Poroshenko took part in signing Germany's unconditional capitulation.
The Victory Day also triggered Ukrainian radicals. Here they are trying to rip medals off a veteran.
- I ask, why are you carrying symbols of communism. It's prohibited.
- These are not symbols of communism.
And head of Rossotrudnichestvo Konstantin Vorobyov got sprayed with green paint.
"You stink of the Russian world".
The Victory processions had to defend against the radicals and police both. Yesterday, 25 people wearing St. George ribbons were detained in Kiev alone.
"Get this pro-Russian instigator!"
Russian correspondents who came to Kiev to film the Victory Day celebrations were instantly arrested by the Ukrainian security police.
Valentina Solovyova, 1 Channel: "The Ukrainian authorities don't want Russian journalists to see and film everything that's happening here".
They confiscated their phones and pressed charges based on the stories broadcast in Russia.
Olga Yurieva, VGTRK: "I told them they were our biggest fans. They watch everything: 60 Minutes, Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, and Kiselyov's show".
After the hours-long interrogation called a "friendly conversation" by the police Valentina and Olga were deported from Ukraine due to "posing threat to the constitutionally established state order".
Olga Yurieva: "Our Victory Day footage sure did threaten their state order".
However, neither Ukrainian nationalists nor the like-minded authorities didn't manage to disrupt the Victory Day celebration or its media coverage.
Andrey Grigoriev, Maria Savushkina, Maxim Shchepilov Vesti