International non-governmental human rights watchdog Freedom House, engaged in the support and research of the state of democracy, political freedom and respect for fundamental human rights, has designated Ukraine as a "partly free" country in its new report "Freedom in the World 2018."

According to the rating published on the website of the organization, in the rating of "Freedom in the World 2018," the rating of Ukraine on two criteria (the level of political rights and civil freedom) comprised three points (by both criteria) of the possible seven, so the country remained in the category partially free. On a 100-point system, Ukraine scored 62 points (the more - the freer the country).

Crimea, occupied by Russia, which received seven points in terms of political rights and six points - according to the level of civil freedom, was recognized as not free. Crimea scored nine points on the 100-point system.

It is reported that Ukraine continues to recover from the disorder that surrounded the ouster of Viktor Yanukovych from the presidency in 2014, as well as the related crisis sparked by Russia's occupation of Crimea and military support for separatists in Donbas area of eastern Ukraine. The authorities' failure to prosecute extensive high-level corruption has undermined the popularity of the government and affected some reform efforts. In the sphere of civil liberties, political pressure and attacks on journalists have threatened freedom of the press, the report says.

At the same time, it is reported that the government made progress in crafting and implementing a number of reforms during the year, including changes to the healthcare and education systems, as well as measures designed to empower local and regional administrations.

It is noted that efforts to fight widespread corruption stalled, as the independent National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) faced political interference, and the chair of a key parliamentary anti-corruption committee was dismissed," Freedom House said.

In addition, the organization said that journalists in Ukraine face political interference, as well as violence and harassment.

"Authorities continued to censor some Russian news sources and ban individual Russian journalists from entering the country," the organization said.