Award-winning Russian journalist Elena Milashina suffered a brutal attack in Chechnya, sustaining serious injuries including broken fingers and extensive bruising. The assault occurred as she and lawyer Alexander Nemov traveled from the airport. Human rights organizations, including Memorial and the Committee Against Torture, have condemned the attack, reporting that the pair were kicked, threatened with death, and had a gun held to their heads. Their equipment was also confiscated and destroyed.

Milashina, a journalist with the independent news outlet Novaya Gazeta, was in Chechnya to witness the sentencing of Zarema Musayeva, whose children have been forced into exile due to their opposition to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Milashina is known for her courageous reporting on human rights violations throughout Russia, particularly in Chechnya.