Freedom House in its annual report “Freedom in the World 2025” for the first time evaluates all the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia together – and gives them a worse score than North Korea, Turkmenistan or Iran. The Ukrainian territories under occupation received a score of -1 out of 100, which is the worst level of unfreedom in the world.
Source: KHPG
Russia brings the same terrorist model to all occupied territories
According to Freedom House, regardless of the region – be it Crimea, Donbas, Kherson or Zaporizhzhia – the Russian occupation administration implements the same methods of repression: abductions, torture, show trials, disappearances, forced “voting” at gunpoint, banning Ukrainian identity, persecution of Christian communities not affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church.
These territories were rated worse than North Korea (3/100), Iran (12/100), and Turkmenistan (1/100). This is below the bottom.
Is it freedom? No. Repression, violence and fear – yes.
- Political rights: -2 / 40 – total absence of the possibility to elect or be elected. No political alternative. Ukrainian parties are banned. Elections are fake.
- Civil liberties: 1/60 – any dissent is punishable. For a Ukrainian flag or song – arrest or fine.
- Media: Completely destroyed. Only propaganda channels broadcasting the Kremlin’s version of the “special operation” are allowed.
- Freedom of religion: Persecution of all religious communities not affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, including Protestants, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and Greek Catholics.
Genocide of culture: destruction of language, identity and changing demographics
- Language policy: Complete eradication of the Ukrainian language from education, administration and public space.
- Changing ethnic composition: Forced resettlement of Russians, deportation of Ukrainians. Forced Russification.
- Passportization: Denial of medical care, social services, threat of eviction without a Russian passport.
Torture, disappearances, murders
- Thousands of prisoners: Including Christians, human rights defenders, journalists, and activists. They are tried for “extremism”, “terrorism” or “discrediting the Russian army”.
- Victims: Among those killed in captivity are Crimean Tatars, pro-Ukrainian activists, civilians and journalists. Many bodies have not been found yet.
- Abduction of children: Mass deportation of children to Russia, forced citizenship, ideological indoctrination, military training.
Why is it important?
Freedom House is an influential non-governmental organization that uses the same evaluation standards for all countries. Therefore, the data that occupied Ukraine is worse than totalitarian regimes like the DPRK is not an exaggeration. This is a signal to all those who still doubt: “frozen conflict” = frozen hell for millions of Ukrainians.
This report is an argument against all the “peacemakers” who offer Ukraine to “give up territories for peace”. Because this is not “peace” but the legitimization of massive evil.
This report is also a spiritual challenge for the Church. Because persecution for faith in the occupied territories is a reality. There, the freedom of worship has been replaced by the dictatorship of fear. And the Church must not remain silent.
The Russian occupation is not a political dispute. It is an industry of terror aimed at destroying freedom, identity and human dignity.
Freedom House gave the lowest score in history: -1 / 100. And this score is a call not to look away. Do not give up. And to continue the fight – for truth, for people, for freedom.
