Reuters safety adviser killed, 3 journalists injured in Ukraine

New York, August 26, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the killing of Reuters safety adviser Ryan Evans in an attack that also injured three journalists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk.

“The missile strike that killed Reuters safety adviser Ryan Evans and injured three other journalists is a sad and sobering reminder that the Russian-Ukraine war remains as dangerous for journalists and media workers covering it today as it was when the conflict started with Russia’s invasion of Crimea 10 years ago,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. “We condemn the attack on Kramatorsk’s Hotel Sapphire, where journalists and other civilians were staying. Journalists are civilians protected under international humanitarian law and need to be able to report on the war.”  

The missile hit the hotel, situated in a Ukraine-controlled area close to the front line, late on August 24. Two Reuters journalists whose names haven’t been disclosed have been hospitalized for injuries sustained during the attack, Reuters said in a statement, adding that it was urgently seeking more information about the attack.

Polish journalist Monika Andruszewska was injured while driving her car near the hotel at the time of the attack, Polish and Ukrainian media reported. She wrote on her Facebook page that the missile hit near her car and she sustained injuries, mostly to her arm. The journalist posted pictures of her arm covered in blood, cuts on her face and a photo of her vehicle with shattered glass.      

The three other members of the Reuters team who were in the hotel at the time of the strike were safe, Reuters said.

Ukrainian authorities said the hotel was struck by a Russian missile. The Russian defense ministry hasn’t responded to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.

At least 17 journalists and media workers have been killed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.