A top Russian state television channel said today that the Ukrainian security service had "kidnapped" its reporter in Kiev, while a security service source said she would be deported over a critical report.
Channel One television said its reporter Anna Kurbatova was seized outside her home in the Ukrainian capital.
"Anna Kurbatova has been kidnapped in central Kiev and we cannot get in touch with her," a Channel One news anchor said. She added that "according to our information, Anna Kurbatova was detained by the Ukrainian Security Services (SBU) employees."
A source in the SBU told AFP on condition of anonymity that Kurbatova "has not been kidnapped" but detained ahead of her deportation for a critical report.
"She will be deported for the report that she produced on Ukraine's Independence Day," the source said. "Our employees looked for her to detain and deport her."
"Her stay here will be cut short and she will be notified of a ban on entering Ukraine."
Ukraine celebrated Independence Day last Thursday, which coincided with a visit by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and a military parade in Kiev involving US troops.
Kurbatova's report, aired at the weekend, focused on Mattis' visit and continuing hostilities in the east of the country despite a recent ceasefire. It featured interviews with people critical of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
She is the second Russian reporter to face expulsion from Ukraine this month after Tamara Nersesyan, who works for Rossiya 24 state news channel, was told to leave the country on August 15 due to "activities going against Ukrainian interests.
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