Category: Life in Ukraine

Remembering the Journalists Targeted and Killed by Russia in Ukraine

May 03, 2024 14:04

Authors: Maryna Kulakova
Author

In the face of relentless threats and violence from Russia, journalists in Ukraine have continued to uphold their duty to inform the public—at risk to themselves. We honor the memory of those whose lives were lost.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine that started in 2014, independent media has faced alarming suppression in territories occupied by Russia. This tragically escalated when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, with threats and violence silencing and killing journalists across all areas of Ukraine.

A report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals that over 100 Ukrainian and foreign journalists accredited in Ukraine have suffered from Russia's attacks in the two years since the full-scale war began. The violence hasn't stopped at the frontline; at least 35 journalists were injured while reporting from across the country—including from media offices, and hotels.

By remembering journalists who have lost their lives because of the war, we pay tribute to their bravery, reaffirm our commitment to press freedom, and honor their invaluable contributions to democracy. Here are the names of Ukrainian journalists killed by Russia since the beginning of the full-scale war:

Yevhenii Sakun

Photojournalist and correspondent. Killed during the shelling of the Kyiv TV tower on March 1st, 2022.

Oleksandra Kuvshynova

News producer. Killed by Russian fire on March 14, 2022 while on an assignment documenting Russian war crimes in Kyiv suburbs.

Vira Hyrych

News producer. Killed by Russian strike in her home in Kyiv on March 28, 2022.

Pavlo Lee

News and tv anchor. Killed by Russian fire while evacuating civilians next to Irpin on March 6, 2022.

Maks Levin

Photojournalist. Executed by Russian troops while documenting Russian war crimes in Kyiv suburbs in March 2022.

Roman Zhuk

Photoprapher, videographer. Killed under Russian artillery shelling on the frontline in Zaporizhizhia region on May 26, 2022.

Victoria Amelina

Writer, correspondent, war crimes researcher. Died due to her injuries after Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk on June 27, 2023.

Brent Renaud

American journalist, documentary filmmaker, and photojournalist. Killed on March 13, 2022, by Russian soldiers while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Irpin city in Kyiv region.

Arman Soldin

Bosnian–French videographer, correspondent. Killed by a Russian-fired Grad missile while reporting for Agence France-Presse near the city of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, on May 9, 2023.

Mantas Kvedaravičius

Lithuanian filmmaker, documentarist. Taken into Russian captivity during the siege of Mariupol, tortured and killed by Russian soldiers on March 30, 2022.

You can read the full list of journalists killed by Russia since the start of the full-scale war here.

As we honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, their names and stories must serve as a poignant reminder of the immense courage and dedication displayed by journalists in the pursuit of truth.

Cover photo: Liberov Kostiantyn.