Reuters Says Safety Adviser Killed, 2 Journalists Wounded in Ukraine

A Russian missile strike on a hotel in eastern Ukraine has reportedly claimed the life of a British media staffer and injured two journalists, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by those reporting from conflict zones.

At a Glance

A Russian ‘Iskander’ missile reportedly struck the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, killing one Reuters safety adviser and injuring two journalists
The attack resulted in seven injuries and one death, with victims from Ukraine, the US, and the UK
Ukrainian President Zelensky described the strike as deliberate and part of “daily Russian terror”
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists and media workers in war zones

Deadly Strike on Hotel Housing Journalists

Reuters has reported that over the weekend, a Russian missile strike targeted the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, where a six-person Reuters team was staying. The attack resulted in the death of Ryan Evans, a 38-year-old British safety adviser for Reuters, and left two journalists injured, one of whom is in serious condition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the strike also injured several other people, bringing the total number of casualties to seven injured and one dead.

“We are urgently seeking more information about the attack, including by working with the authorities in Kramatorsk,” Reuters said in a statement. “And we are supporting our colleagues and their families.”

Zelensky said that the strike was carried out by a Russian ‘Iskander’ missile and described it as a deliberate act. In his evening address on Sunday, Zelensky stated, “An ordinary city hotel was destroyed by a Russian Iskander missile — deliberately, purposefully.”

Journalist Deaths and Reuters’ Condolences

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face around the world, especially in war zones. Statista reported that 45 journalists were killed in 2023, although this number was the smallest recorded since 2003 and the manner of death was not specified. The death toll reached a high in 2012 with 147 deaths.

Reuters, in response to the recent attack, emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of its journalists worldwide, including in high-risk areas such as Ukraine and Israel.

The loss of Ryan Evans, a former British soldier who had been working with Reuters since 2022 as a safety adviser, is particularly poignant. Reuters expressed their condolences, stating, “We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to Ryan’s family and loved ones. Ryan has helped so many of our journalists cover events around the world; we will miss him terribly.”

"We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to Ryan's family and loved ones. Ryan has helped so many of our journalists cover events around the world; we will miss him terribly," Reuters said. Read more https://t.co/n1m3aY3x4d pic.twitter.com/s2Gxm69Znu

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 26, 2024

Broader Context of the Conflict

This attack occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Recently, Ukrainian forces pressed into the Russian Kursk area, marking the largest assault on Russian soil since World War II. In retaliation, Russian forces have intensified their attacks on Ukrainian territory, with Kramatorsk being one of the few cities in the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.

The strike on the Hotel Sapphire is part of a broader pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Other recent incidents include a double-tap missile strike on the Druzhba hotel in Pokrovsk and a bombing in Kharkiv. These attacks have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and highlight the indiscriminate nature of the conflict.

The tragedy in Kramatorsk serves as a somber reminder of the high price paid by those who risk their lives to bring us the truth from the front lines.