In July IMI experts recorded 11 crimes against freedom of speech in Ukraine. Four of them were committed by Russia and targeted media and journalists.

This is evidenced by the monthly monitoring "Freedom of Speech Barometer" by the Institute of Mass Information.

The crimes against media committed by Russia include injuring journalists and legal pressure.

At the same time, IMI recorded seven freedom of speech violations for which Ukrainian citizens are responsible. These include assault, threats, censorship and indirect pressure on journalists and media.

Three media workers who had enlisted to defend Ukraine were killed in action in July:

Kostyantyn Hnitetsky, a serviceman and former videographer for Suspilne's Rivne branch, killed by Russian mortar fire near Dibrova, Luhansk oblast, on July 16.

Dmytro Rybakov, a soldier, journalist and historian, killed in the Zaporizhzhia area on July 18. Before the war, he was as an editor and media consultant at Chas.News, "Forbes Ukraine", LB, "Ukrainian Pravda".

Maksym Shwartzman, a soldier, photojournalist and videographer for the Chernivtsi news agency ACC, killed in action in Donetsk oblast on July 15.

In total, as per IMI's estimations, 66 media workers have been killed by Russia's aggression in Ukraine, 10 of whom died while reporting.