White House Condemns Missile Strike on Hotel in Ukraine, Killing Reuters Adviser

The White House has issued a strong condemnation of a recent missile strike in eastern Ukraine that resulted in the death of a Reuters safety adviser and injured two journalists. This incident, which occurred on August 27, 2023, underscores the ongoing dangers faced by media personnel covering the conflict in Ukraine.

Sean Savett, spokesperson for the National Security Council, expressed the administration's stance on the social media platform X, stating, > "We condemn this attack in the strongest of terms and extend our deepest condolences to @Reuters on the loss of one of their own."

The attack targeted the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, a city in Donetsk Oblast that has been repeatedly struck during the war. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine, attributed the strike to a Russian Iskander missile, a short-range ballistic weapon with a range of up to 500 kilometers.

Ryan Evans, who was working as a safety adviser for Reuters, lost his life in the incident. Two other Reuters journalists sustained injuries. This tragic event highlights the critical role of safety advisers in protecting media professionals in conflict zones.

It's important to note that Reuters has not independently verified the source of the missile or whether the hotel was deliberately targeted. The incident raises concerns about the safety of journalists and civilian infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.

The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, has had a significant impact on media coverage. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that at least 15 journalists have lost their lives in Ukraine since the start of the war, emphasizing the risks associated with reporting from conflict areas.

Kramatorsk's strategic location in the Donbas region has made it a frequent target of attacks. The city has been used as a base by journalists and aid workers, making the strike on Hotel Sapphire particularly concerning from a humanitarian perspective.

International humanitarian law explicitly prohibits attacks on civilian targets, and journalists are protected as civilians under these regulations. The United Nations has documented numerous attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, raising questions about compliance with these laws.

As the conflict continues, the international community remains focused on the safety of non-combatants and the importance of adhering to the principles of international humanitarian law. The incident in Kramatorsk serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working to report on and document the ongoing war in Ukraine.