Journalist Killed in Ukraine Drone Strike, Claims Russian Media

A freelance journalist died in a drone attack near Donetsk, according to Russian state media Izvestia. The incident raises concerns about the safety of reporters in conflict zones, with Russia accusing Ukraine of targeting civilians.

A vehicle carrying freelance journalist Alexander Martemyanov was reportedly struck by a drone near the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, as stated by Russian state newspaper Izvestia. The attack has raised alarms, with Moscow accusing Ukraine's military of intentionally targeting the journalist. There has been no response from Ukrainian authorities regarding the incident.

According to reports, the civilian vehicle was hit while traveling on a highway in an area under Russian control. Izvestia noted that five other media personnel were injured during the same strike. "The Ukrainian army launched a drone strike on a civilian car carrying Izvestia's freelance correspondent Alexander Martemyanov," the newspaper communicated through its Telegram channel. Furthermore, details provided by Russia's state RIA news agency indicated that the vehicle was returning from covering shelling in the Russian-held city of Gorlivka when it was attacked.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova labeled the incident as "deliberate murder," denouncing it as part of a "bloody series of atrocities" committed by the Ukrainian government under President Volodymyr Zelensky. This incident comes amid rising tensions and significant restrictions on Russian media by the European Union, which accused these outlets, including Izvestia and RIA, of promoting Russian propaganda and aggression in Ukraine.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 15 journalists have been killed since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, highlighting the escalating risks faced by media professionals on the front lines of conflict.