Simon Ostrovsky, an American journalist and correspondent for Vice News, has apparently been taken hostage in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk. Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the "people's mayor"—i.e., the guy elected by the pro-Russian rabble—confirmed this at a press conference today.

The mayor of Slavyansk & his press sec have confirmed @SimonOstrovsky is in custody in Slavyansk. I was at the presser. — Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 22, 2014

Vice has also said that it is in touch with the State Department "and other appropriate government authorities" to secure Ostrovsky's release.

In a confusing twist, according to the Russian report, Ponomarev got a call from Ostrovsky's parents in the middle of his presser, and told them, "No one has taken him hostage...he's here working on his story."

If it is true that pro-Russian thugs took Ostrovsky hostage, then this is yet another step into the deepening chaos of southeastern Ukraine, where hostage-taking has become an increasingly popular tactic among the Russian and pro-Russian forces.

It is also evidence that Russia is exporting its harsh stance toward the press into these regions, viewing them as roadblocks on the road to conquest, and dealing with them accordingly. The Committee to Protect Journalists sounded the alarm during Russia's takeover of Crimea. In a March 13 press release, they wrote: