A journalist based in Kherson was sentenced to 12 years in prison for promoting the Russian Federation

While the Kherson region was under occupation, the information space became one of the key tools in the battle for people’s minds. The court found that a local media figure had used her own resources to support the occupying authorities.

According to the Security Service of Ukraine, the court found Tetyana Kamenska, the owner of the Kherson-based television company “VTB Plus,” guilty in absentia of collaboration. 

Law enforcement officials determined that after Russian troops seized Kherson, Kamenska voluntarily used the media resources under her control to provide informational support to the occupying administration.

According to the investigation, she organized interviews with the so-called “head of the military-civilian administration of the Kherson region,” Volodymyr Saldo, and ensured their dissemination via the “VTB Plus” TV channel, the YouTube channel “nf,” and Telegram.

In addition, under her leadership, content was systematically broadcast that, according to the investigation’s findings, justified Russia’s armed aggression, legitimized the activities of the occupying administration, fostered a positive attitude toward the occupying regime, and discredited the Ukrainian authorities.

Furthermore, the media outlets under her control covered the activities of the occupying authorities, disseminated Russian propaganda narratives, and created the illusion of support for the occupying regime among residents of the temporarily occupied Kherson region.

Based on the evidence gathered, the court found Kamenska guilty of collaboration.

In addition to a 12-year prison sentence and a 15-year ban on working in government or journalism, the court ordered the confiscation of all her property. The list included corporate rights to a television company, several real estate properties, land plots, a vehicle, and other assets with a total value of over 30 million hryvnias.

Also in May, a man who worked as a videographer for the pro-Russian TV channel “Tavria” during the occupation was notified of the charges against him. According to the investigation, he helped produce content that justified the occupying authorities and spread Russian propaganda.

Анна Бальчінос