Russian Reporter Killed in Drone Attack in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region
A Russian journalist, Alexander Martemjanov, has been killed in a drone attack in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, where he was working for the Iswestija media outlet. The attack, which also injured four other journalists, was carried out by a Ukrainian military drone, according to reports.
Martemjanov, 40, was a reporter for Iswestija, a Russian news agency, and was in the region to cover humanitarian aid distribution to a local church. The group of journalists, including four from RIA Novosti and Bloknot, was traveling in two civilian cars when the attack occurred.
The drone, which was reportedly flying over the city of Gorlovka, struck one of the cars, causing a fatal injury to Martemjanov, who was sitting in the side of the vehicle where the explosion occurred. The other journalists, including Maxim Romanenko of RIA Novosti, who suffered a head injury, and Mikhail Kewchijew, who was injured in the leg, were taken to the hospital.
The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a deliberate and targeted strike on the journalists. Maria Zakharova, a ministry spokesperson, stated that the incident was a clear example of the Ukrainian military’s disregard for the safety of journalists and civilians.
The killing of Martemjanov is the first reported death of a Russian journalist in the conflict zone since the start of the year.
Zakharova also criticized international organizations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNESCO, and the OSCE, for their inaction in the face of such attacks. She pointed out that a recent UNESCO report on the safety of the press and crimes against journalists failed to mention the killing of Russian journalists in the Ukraine conflict.
The Russian government has vowed to identify and punish those responsible for the attack, and has called on international organizations to condemn the incident and take action to protect journalists in the region.