In a disturbing development for press freedoms, Russia has arrested six journalists working for independent media outlets in the span of just a few hours. These arrests come on the eve of the anniversary of American reporter Evan Gershkovich's detention in the city of Yekaterinburg.

The journalists include Antonina Favorskaya, a reporter known for covering the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Favorskaya works for the independent Russian media outlet SOTA Vision and has been targeted for her coverage of Navalny and his work, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Favorskaya is accused of "extremist activities" as a result of her reporting. The media freedom organization, RSF, has strongly condemned her arrest and highlighted that there is no evidence to support the accusations against her.

Ironically, a year ago on this day, Evan Gershkovich marked the grim milestone of one year in Russian detention. The Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested and charged with espionage, a claim vehemently denied by Gershkovich, his employer, and the US government. His arrest was notable as he was the first journalist to face such charges since the Cold War.

The Investigative Committee, Russia's equivalent of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, has requested the arrest of Favorskaya for her alleged involvement in an extremist organization, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.

Furthermore, Favorskaya gained recognition for filming what would be Navalny's last video before his death. In the video, Navalny appeared in good spirits, laughing and joking, during a court hearing via video link from the penal colony where he was serving his sentence.

It is worth noting that over the past two years, Favorskaya extensively covered all of Navalny's court hearings and visited the penal colonies where he was imprisoned. She also closely followed developments at the cemetery where Navalny was buried.

These latest arrests were carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, as stated by RSF. Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, expressed concern over what she called the authorities' "persecution of the last independent journalists and media in Russia." Cavelier strongly condemned the arbitrary arrests and violence used against these journalists.

Favorskaya, who had just been released from a 10-day detention in Moscow for "disobeying the police," was re-arrested during her release. Additionally, two other journalists, Alexandra Astakhova and Anastasia Musayeva, who were there to meet her, were detained and are now involved in the case as witnesses, according to SOTA Vision. All three journalists were subjected to searches.

These arrests raise serious concerns about the deteriorating state of media freedom in Russia and the the government's crackdown on independent journalism. The international community continues to monitor these developments closely, calling for the immediate release of the detained journalists and greater respect for press freedom.