Russian state media report that a freelance reporter was killed in a drone strike near Donetsk, a city currently occupied by Russian forces. The Russian government has accused Ukraine’s military of intentionally targeting the reporter, although Ukraine has yet to issue a response.
The media outlet stated that a civilian vehicle transporting Alexander Martemyanov was hit while traveling on a highway in a contested area. During the same attack, five other journalists were reportedly injured.
The report details that the drone strike occurred as Martemyanov’s vehicle returned from reporting on shelling in the Russian-controlled city of Gorlivka. Among the injured were two journalists from another state news agency.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the incident, labelling it a “deliberate murder” and part of a series of violent acts attributed to the Ukrainian government.
Amid ongoing tensions, this incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented the deaths of at least 15 journalists.