Russian media team struck by Ukrainian drones

(MENAFN) A Russian press team from Zvezda TV was targeted by Ukrainian drones while reporting near the frontline in Kherson Region, the network said on Thursday. One person — a military escort accompanying the journalists — was injured in the attack.

According to Zvezda, their vehicle was struck twice by drones after avoiding attacks earlier in the day. The car eventually caught fire, forcing the journalists to withdraw with the help of Russian soldiers. The network did not reveal the total number of journalists on the team but confirmed that their correspondent and cameraman were unharmed.

The incident unfolded near Aleshki, a town situated about 5km from the city of Kherson, which is under Ukrainian control. Aleshki has frequently come under attack from Ukrainian drones, Zvezda said, adding that soldiers use the ruins of the Antonovsky Bridge to launch strikes against civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and roads — making the area particularly hazardous.

Zvezda did not show footage of their destroyed vehicle but aired video of damage to nearby civilian buildings and a nearly wrecked ambulance.

Vladimir Saldo, the governor of Kherson, previously stated that Ukrainian forces repeatedly attack ambulances and health workers, complicating efforts to treat the injured.

The attack adds to a pattern of journalists being deliberately targeted by Ukrainian forces, Russian officials say. In March, a marked press vehicle was struck by artillery in Lugansk, killing Izvestia reporter Aleksandr Fedorchak, Zvezda cameraman Andrey Panov, and their driver Aleksandr Sirkeli. Zvezda journalist Nikita Goldin was injured in the attack and later died from his wounds. Furthermore, a Vesti Donetsk crew was injured in a drone attack in Gorlovka when the UAV detonated close to their vehicle.

Moscow has condemned these attacks against journalists, calling on organizations like UNESCO, OSCE, and the UN to respond. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously criticized UNESCO for ignoring attacks on Russian journalists in its 2022-23 report on journalists’ safety. Moscow labeled these attacks “acts of terrorism.”

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