Detention: On March 6, 2024, in occupied Henichesk, Kherson region, Russian security forces detained Ukrainian journalist Hennadiy Osmak again. He was taken from the street, and a video of the arrest was distributed. Prior to this, Osmak had been under pressure from the occupying forces. After the occupation of Henichesk, Russian representatives offered him cooperation, suggesting he use his publication 'Novyi Vizyit' to disseminate Russian propaganda. The journalist refused. According to ZMINA, before the March 2024 detention, Osmak had already been searched and interrogated. During his detention and subsequent custody, people close to him reported that he was subjected to physical and psychological abuse. The Russian side accused him of alleged participation in the so-called 'Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan'. He was also accused of having ties with Ukrainian special services and other charges.

Sentence: On August 12, 2024, the occupation 'Henichesk District Court of Kherson Region' sentenced Hennadiy Osmak to 3 years and 2 months of imprisonment in a high-security colony. In December 2025, the cassation instance of the Russian Federation upheld the sentence and denied a reduction in the term. The Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Crimean Tatar Resource Center also reported that the sentence remained unchanged.

Hennadiy Osmak is a Ukrainian journalist from Henichesk, Kherson region, founder and former editor-in-chief of the local online publication 'Novyi Vizyit'. The publication was one of the notable local media outlets in Henichesk, covering socio-political events in the region.

After the full-scale Russian invasion and occupation of Henichesk on February 24, 2022, Russian security forces offered Osmak cooperation. They suggested using 'Novyi Vizyit' as an information resource for spreading Russian propaganda. The journalist refused.

On March 12, 2022, Osmak announced he was stepping down as editor-in-chief of 'Novyi Vizyit'. On March 22, 2022, he separately stated he was no longer involved with the site or its content. After this, he effectively withdrew from journalistic activities.

After the occupation of Henichesk, Osmak remained in the city. According to ZMINA, due to the occupation and restricted ability to leave, he continued to stay in the occupied territory. In 2024, he worked as a taxi driver.

Before the repeated detention, Russian security forces had already searched and interrogated him. Subsequently, on March 6, 2024, he was detained on the street. The Russian occupation authorities claimed his alleged involvement with the so-called Crimean Tatar Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan. Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasize the politically motivated nature of such persecutions of Ukrainian citizens in occupied territories.

During his detention, Hennadiy Osmak, according to ZMINA and the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, suffered physical and psychological abuse. People close to him reported that he was electrocuted, kept in cold conditions, and doused with water. As a result of his imprisonment and inadequate detention conditions, his health deteriorated.

A particularly serious issue was his diabetes. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center reported that during his transfer to Russia, Osmak was without necessary medications, and after arriving at the colony, his health significantly worsened. Human rights defenders also reported serious spinal problems.

After the sentence was issued, the journalist was transferred from the occupied territory to Russia. In 2025, it became known that for about two months, he was transported to high-security correctional colony No. 6 in the village of Melekhovo, Vladimir region, Russia. During the transfer, he was deprived of contact with his family and, according to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, suffered physical and psychological pressure.

Upon arrival at the colony, Osmak was able to briefly inform his family of his whereabouts. According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, he lacked access to necessary diabetes medications, posing a threat to his health and life.

In December 2025, the Russian cassation court left his sentence unchanged. The Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea confirmed that Osmak continues to serve an unlawful sentence in correctional colony No. 6 in the Vladimir region.

As of September 9, 2026, Hennadiy Osmak remains in high-security correctional colony No. 6 in the village of Melekhovo, Vladimir region, Russian Federation. Ukrainian human rights organizations demand an end to his unlawful persecution and call for the journalist's release.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, Ukrinform.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 09.09.2026.