The initiative, named Svoboda (Russian for "Freedom"), will offer a fact-based perspective of world events.

The launch comes as the Kremlin stifles dissent and promotes state narratives, having shut down independent Russian media since the Ukraine invasion.

Christophe Deloire of Reporters Without Borders describes the platform as a significant effort to empower citizens with access to factual information, strengthening press freedom.

The move follows a successful legal push by the organization against French satellite operator Eutelsat, which had been broadcasting Russian state channels.

The operator has now been instructed to cease those transmissions and is partnering with Reporters Without Borders to support the new initiative.

Despite this progress, concerns remain over the exploitation of European satellite networks by authoritarian entities, as highlighted by media collective Denis Diderot Committee.