Kremlin Responds to Reuters Adviser's Death in Ukrainian Hotel Strike
A missile strike on a Ukrainian hotel resulted in the death of a Reuters safety adviser. The Kremlin claims to target only military infrastructure, while Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberate civilian attacks.
On August 26, 2024, a missile strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, resulted in the death of Ryan Evans, a Reuters safety adviser, and injuries to two journalists. The incident has drawn international attention and raised questions about the targeting of civilian structures in the ongoing conflict.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesperson, addressed the incident during a press conference. He stated, "Strikes are carried out against military infrastructure objects, or against targets related to military infrastructure in one way or another." Peskov did not clarify whether security advisors protecting journalists fall under the military category.
Ryan Evans, a 38-year-old former British soldier, had been working with Reuters since 2022, providing safety advice to journalists in conflict zones worldwide, including Ukraine, Israel, and the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine, identified the weapon used in the attack as a Russian Iskander missile, a short-range ballistic missile system with a range of up to 500 km. However, Reuters has not independently verified the origin of the missile or whether the hotel was deliberately targeted.
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists and support staff in conflict zones. Reuters, founded in 1851, is one of the world's largest news agencies and, like many media organizations, employs safety advisers to protect its journalists in high-risk areas.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ryan Evans, a valued member of our team. His dedication to ensuring the safety of our journalists in conflict zones was invaluable."
This tragic event occurs against the backdrop of a conflict that began in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The United Nations has documented numerous civilian casualties since the conflict's inception, with Kramatorsk being a repeated target of attacks.
While Russia maintains that it does not target civilians or civilian infrastructure, referring to its actions as a "special military operation," Ukraine and international observers have accused Russian forces of committing war crimes. The International Criminal Court has opened investigations into these allegations.
The conflict has led to widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and resulted in significant international sanctions against Russia. As the war continues, the safety of journalists and civilians remains a critical concern, with incidents like the Kramatorsk hotel strike underscoring the devastating impact of the conflict on non-combatants.
