Ekaterina Barabash, a journalist and film critic known for her outspoken criticism, was arrested by the Russian Investigative Committee in Moscow. Reports suggest that while the exact charges remain unclear, her detention is likely linked to her professional work and public dissent regarding Russia’s military actions against Ukraine.

Barabash comes from a prominent family, being the daughter of literary scholar Yuriy Barabash and the mother-in-law of screenwriter Lyuba Yakimchuk. Previously dismissed from her position at a major news agency for her criticism of the Kremlin, she also worked for a publication that was later designated as a foreign agent and banned, highlighting her history of challenging state narratives.

The journalist’s arrest takes place amidst a broader crackdown on critical voices in Russia, with authorities targeting dissenters and anti-war protesters since the invasion of Ukraine began. Similar actions have been reported recently, including the detention of a young student for displaying anti-establishment material and the issuance of international arrest orders for another critic, underscoring the tightening of restrictions on free expression in the country.