Mykhailo Tkach, head of the investigations team at Ukrainska Pravda, has been detained by Austrian authorities while on an editorial assignment in Vienna.

Mykhailo Tkach, the head of the investigative journalism department at Ukrainska Pravda, was detained by Austrian authorities in Vienna on October 8. Tkach was in the country on an editorial assignment to locate fugitive Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The publication has demanded his immediate release and an official explanation from Austrian law enforcement, stating they consider the detention unlawful.

Detention and Unknown Status of Colleagues

Ukrainska Pravda reported that it has no direct contact with Tkach, though he has been able to communicate with a lawyer. The publication also expressed concern regarding the status of Tkach's colleague, Yaroslav Bondarenko, who accompanied him on the assignment. As of the announcement, the editorial team stated they do not know Bondarenko's whereabouts or his current condition.

Diplomatic and Institutional Response

The publication has reached out to the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria and the Austrian Embassy in Ukraine to secure assistance for their journalists. Georgy Tykhy, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the ministry is aware of the detention and has requested an explanation from Austrian authorities. A consul has been assigned to contact Austrian officials and request access to the detained journalist. Additionally, Ukrainska Pravda has appealed to international human rights and journalism organizations for support in protecting their staff.