Russian Drone Strike Kills Two Ukrainian Journalists in Kramatorsk

                                        

In a devastating attack today, two Ukrainian journalists were killed by a Russian drone strike in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. The victims were identified as Olena Hubanova, a correspondent for Ukraine’s state-funded Freedom TV, and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin. A third journalist, Oleksandr Kolychev, was severely injured and hospitalized with shrapnel wounds and an open fracture. Committee to Protect Journalists

The drone, identified as a Russian Lancet model, struck the journalists' car at a petrol station. These drones are typically used to target armored vehicles, making this attack particularly alarming. Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, describing it as a deliberate attempt to silence independent media and suppress documentation of Russian war crimes. Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, labeled the incident as a war crime. Since the war's onset, 135 media workers have been reported killed. Reuters

The attack has drawn international condemnation, with calls for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. Images from the scene show a destroyed vehicle and press-marked flak jackets, underscoring the targeted nature of the assault.

This incident highlights the increasing dangers faced by journalists covering the conflict, as both sides employ drones to target military and civilian infrastructure.