Borell: Russia intensifies printing of independent media

He says that according to reports, more than 7 thousand and 600 anti-war protesters in more than 120 cities have been arrested since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Read below the complete statement of the European diplomat:

The media censorship imposed by Russian authorities, as well as the crackdown on peaceful anti-war protests in the function of the untested and unwarranted military invasion of Ukraine, is escalating in Russia.

Yesterday, two of the most popular Russian media -- Moscow Echo and TV Rain -- were detained, as well as websites of a number of other independent media organisations. Today, Moscow Echo liquidated. These media are silent about providing a platform of resources and voices that challenge the counterfeit view of the situation on the ground in Ukraine, as portrayed by the Russian government and the deinformation network under its control, including television channels controlled by the Russian state.

According to reports, more than 7600 anti-war protesters in more than 120 cities have been arrested since the beginning of Ukraine's Russian military invasion. It is deeply disturbing that a law is currently being drafted by Russia's Duma State, which will allow the punishment of those expressing thoughts that deviate from the official government line by up to 15 years in prison.

We welcome the courage of those Russian citizens who dare publicly oppose the war Putin is waging in Ukraine, despite censorship and depression. We welcome Russian independent media and Russian NGOs that defend the values of democracy, rule of law and freedom and try to inform the Russian people of the situation on the ground in Ukraine.