Academic Publishing in Occupied Territories: Challenges to Research Integrity and Academic Trust

The issue of scientific publishing in occupied territories presents a range of complex legal and ethical challenges. Ukrainian scientific journals, once integral to the country's academic landscape, are often appropriated and continue to be published under unauthorized control, raising serious questions about legitimacy and academic integrity. Additionally, institutions based in internationally unrecognized entities present another dilemma—engagement with such publishers is fraught with legal and ethical risks, making collaboration inadmissible under recognized academic and legal standards. These concerns bring to the forefront a critical question: Can research integrity and publishing ethics be upheld in territories where legitimate governance is absent, and independent international oversight is nearly impossible? To address these issues, we have conducted a study on the legal regulation of academic journal activities, particularly those operating in occupied, unrecognized, or conflict-affected territories. In addition, we examined the issue of the identification of serial publications, including through international organizations such as the ISSN International Centre. This case will be examined as a practical example, highlighting the legal and procedural conflicts surrounding such publications and underscoring the urgent need for clear guidelines and recommendations to address the issues of identification effectively. Beyond legal considerations, the second section delves into the dissemination of metadata from occupied territories. By applying bibliometric methods this study seeks to determine the credibility, distribution, visibility and impact of these journals. Understanding these patterns is essential to developing a comprehensive approach to safeguarding academic integrity and ensuring that occupied territories do not become hubs for misinformation and unethical publishing practices.