Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach detained in Austria while on assignment
The acclaimed journalist was reportedly on an editorial assignment in Vienna with his colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko when he was detained by Austrian authorities.
Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach was detained in Austria while on assignment, according to Ukrainska Pravda. The publication announced his detention on October 8, stating that the situation is illegal and demanding immediate release and an explanation from Austrian authorities. Tkach was reportedly in Vienna with colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko when he was detained.
His whereabouts are currently unknown, though he has communicated with his lawyer. Tkach, one of Ukraine's most prominent investigative journalists, has exposed corruption and money laundering in President Volodymyr Zelensky's inner circle. The editorial office of Ukrainska Pravda considers Tkach's detention illegal and has appealed to international journalistic and human rights organizations for support.
Ukrainian diplomats have been contacted to aid Tkach and Bondarenko's release, and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has requested an explanation from Austria. Tkach received the international Free Media Awards 2026 in Oslo for his investigative wartime journalism, but this is not his first encounter with difficulties while reporting.
He and Bondarenko were previously detained by Polish authorities in February 2024 while investigating goods transit between Poland, Russia, and Belarus.
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