A Journalist From "Ukrainska Pravda" Was Detained In Vienna While Searching For Former Prosecutor General Kravchenko
- 9.10.2026, 8:11
His colleague has disappeared.
Mikhail Tkach , head of the investigative journalism department at *Ukrainska Pravda* , was taken into custody while on an editorial assignment in Vienna, the capital of Austria. The journalist was in Austria with a videographer and a colleague, Yaroslav Bondarenko. The arrest took place on the evening of October 8 was reported by the publication’s editor-in-chief Sevgil Musaeva. According to her, the editorial staff is demanding an explanation for the journalist’s detention and his release.
Sevgil Musaeva expressed outrage at the actions of local law enforcement agencies. The publication considers the detention of Mykhailo Tkach to be completely illegal and unfounded, and demands the immediate release of its employee as well as an official explanation from Austrian law enforcement regarding the motives behind their actions.
The editor-in-chief of “Ukrainska Pravda” emphasized that Mikhail Tkach and Yaroslav Bondarenko had traveled to Vienna to carry out an editorial assignment. As noted by Ukrainska Pravda, the editorial assignment that Tkach and Bondarenko were carrying out in Vienna was related to the search for former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
According to her, the editorial office currently has no direct contact with Tkach. Based on information available to the journalists, he was taken to a detention facility, and a lawyer is already in contact with him.
“Mikhail and Yaroslav traveled to Vienna to do their jobs. As editor-in-chief, I insist that the safety of journalists and their right to carry out their professional activities must be guaranteed. We expect the Austrian authorities to take immediate action, provide transparent explanations, and respect all the rights of our colleagues,” Musaeva stated.
However, the editorial staff still does not know Yaroslav Bondarenko’s whereabouts. Media outlets have appealed to the Austrian authorities and Ukrainian diplomatic missions, demanding that they immediately determine Bondarenko’s whereabouts and guarantee his safety.
“Mykhailo was in Austria with his colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko. At this time, we do not know Yaroslav’s whereabouts or what has become of him. We demand that his whereabouts be determined immediately and that his safety be ensured,” stated “Ukrainska Pravda.”
The editorial staff has reached out to diplomats
“Ukrainska Pravda” reported that it has already informed the Ukrainian Embassy in Austria and the Austrian Embassy in Ukraine.
The editorial staff is asking Ukrainian diplomats to take steps to determine the whereabouts of both journalists and to facilitate Tkach’s release. The publication also calls on the Austrian authorities to explain the grounds for the detention and to ensure that the journalist has access to legal and consular assistance.
“We call on the Austrian authorities to immediately explain the grounds for the detention, ensure that Mykhailo has access to legal and consular assistance, and allow him to contact the editorial office and his loved ones,” the editorial statement reads.
In addition, “Ukrainska Pravda” has appealed to international journalism and human rights organizations to support the journalists and help protect their rights.
As of now, Austrian authorities have not publicly explained the reasons for the detention.
What is known about Mykhailo Tkach’s work
Mykhailo Tkach is one of Ukraine’s most well-known and influential investigative journalists, leading the investigative team at “Ukrainska Pravda.” For many years, he has been exposing corruption schemes in the highest echelons of power, analyzing the wealth of politicians, businesspeople, and officials, and reporting on abuses and secret deals.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Mykhailo Tkach focused on war-related investigations. His team systematically identifies and publishes information about the luxury assets and real estate of Ukrainian officials, businesspeople, and members of parliament hiding abroad (in particular, in a series of high-profile reports titled “The Monaco Battalion,” “The Vienna Battalion,” and “The Dubai Battalion”), as well as exposing shady procurement schemes in the defense sector and tracking down the assets of Russian oligarchs in Europe.
For his uncompromising professionalism and high standards of journalistic ethics, Mykhailo Tkach received the prestigious international Free Media Award 2026 in late September 2026. This award, established by the Norwegian foundation Fritt Ord and the German foundation ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius, is presented annually to media outlets and journalists in Eastern Europe for their courage, independence, and significant contribution to freedom of speech.
Dismissal of Prosecutor General Kravchenko
As a reminder, former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko left the country following an operation by the NABU and the SAPO, as well as allegations against him.
On September 7, Kravchenko submitted his resignation following the “Carthage” special operation, which is investigating possible crimes involving officials from the Office of the Prosecutor General.
It is also known that an internal investigation has been opened against Ruslan Kravchenko due to his departure abroad, as reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, the agency he previously headed.