Ukrainian journalist Maksym Butkevych has received the Vaclav Havel Award for Human Rights, recognition dedicated to his work in defending human rights.

Maksym Butkevych, a Ukrainian journalist and human rights activist, was honored with the Vaclav Havel Award by the Council of Europe, becoming the first Ukrainian to receive this distinction. Butkevych was arrested by Russian forces and spent time in prison, being released in 2024. The ceremony took place in Strasbourg, where the President of the Parliamentary Assembly highlighted the dangers faced by journalists, mentioning that 171 journalists were incarcerated in Europe. Butkevych dedicated the award to Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, emphasizing the importance of human rights.