Accessibility links

Breaking News

Savchenko's Hunger Strike In Russian Custody Enters Fourth Week


Detained Ukrainian helicopter pilot Nadia Savchenko stands inside the defendant's cage during a hearing in the Basmanny district court in Moscow in November 11.
Detained Ukrainian helicopter pilot Nadia Savchenko stands inside the defendant's cage during a hearing in the Basmanny district court in Moscow in November 11.

A hunger strike by Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko, who is being held in Russian custody, has entered its fourth week.

Savchenko's legal team says she has been ingesting only warm water for the past 21 days and that her health has begun to suffer.

Her lawyers have been barred from visiting Savchenko in detention through the end of state holidays on January 12.

Savchenko, who was captured by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in June, was transferred to Russian pretrial detention in July.

Russian authorities have charged the 33-year-old pilot with complicity in the killing of two Russian journalists covering the Ukraine conflict.

Savchenko denies the charges and says her transfer to Russia was illegal.

Savchenko's supporters on January 5 are carrying out a one-day Twitter campaign, using the hashtag #FreeSavchenko, to mark the 22nd day of her hunger strike.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

    RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has seen its audience grow significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and is among the most cited media outlets in the country. Its bold, in-depth reporting from the front lines has won many accolades and awards. Its comprehensive coverage also includes award-winning reporting by the Donbas.Realities and Crimea.Realities projects and the Schemes investigative unit.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG