Reuters safety adviser killed in Russian missile strike

Ukrainian officials have confirmed that a missile launched by Russian forces from the Rostov region struck the Sapphire Hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, on August 24, 2024.

The attack claimed the life of Ryan Evans, a 38-year-old Reuters safety adviser and former British soldier, while also injuring two Reuters journalists, Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey and Dan Peleschuk.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the missile was an Iskander 9M723 ballistic missile, launched from a position near Taganrog, a Russian city close to the Ukrainian border on the Sea of Azov.

The missile hit the hotel at 10:35 p.m., just minutes after a ballistic missile alert was issued by Ukraine’s air force.

Three Russian military units are believed to have been operating in the vicinity, although no conclusive evidence has emerged identifying which brigade was responsible for the strike.

Evans, who had been working as a safety adviser for Reuters since 2022, died instantly when the missile hit his room on the hotel’s first floor, collapsing the building and causing extensive damage.

His colleague, Lyubysh-Kirdey, a Reuters videographer, was severely injured in the attack, while Peleschuk, a Reuters correspondent, sustained moderate injuries and was led to safety by rescuers.

Three other members of the Reuters team managed to escape with minor cuts, including senior photographer Thomas Peter, who climbed down a drainpipe to evade the wreckage.

Forensics teams in Ukraine, along with Western military experts, have verified that the missile was most likely an Iskander-M, a sophisticated Russian weapon with a range of up to 500 kilometers and an accuracy of within 30 meters. Ukrainian officials have stated that there were no military personnel housed in or around the hotel at the time of the strike, nor has any evidence surfaced to suggest that the Sapphire Hotel was intentionally targeted by Russian forces.

The hotel primarily served journalists and media personnel covering the war in Ukraine.

In response to Reuters' inquiries, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia’s military only targets locations tied to military infrastructure, while providing no further details about the missile strike.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not issued an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed, without evidence, that Evans had formerly worked for British intelligence, a claim Reuters dismissed as “factually incorrect.”

Evans' tragic death has sent shockwaves through the journalism community, particularly among those covering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Known for his dedication to protecting journalists in dangerous environments, Evans had previously worked to ensure the safety of Reuters staff in conflict zones around the world, including Ukraine, Israel, and the Paris Olympics.

Reuters expressed deep grief over the loss of Evans, emphasizing his significant contributions to safeguarding journalists in high-risk regions.

The missile attack is being investigated by Ukrainian authorities, who are examining whether the strike was a deliberate attempt to target the media.

Prosecutors in the Donetsk region, where Kramatorsk is located, have initiated a probe to determine if Russian forces intentionally struck the hotel.

In Russia's Belgorod region, five people lost their lives due to Ukrainian shelling, with another 12 wounded, including a 16-year-old girl in critical condition. The attack hit the village of Rakitnoye, located around 23 miles from the Ukrainian border, according to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. In a separate incident, a man was killed in a drone strike on the border village of Solovevka.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, Russian shelling caused multiple civilian injuries, as reported by Governor Oleh Syniehubov via the Telegram messaging app.

In the Chuhuiv area, five people were wounded, including a 4-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, after two houses were hit by Russian fire. Kharkiv city also came under attack, leaving eight people injured and a two-story house in flames.

Elsewhere in the region, Russian strikes destroyed six houses in Balakliia, injuring a 55-year-old man.

In Kupiansk, four women were hurt when a house caught fire after being hit by Russian forces.

As investigations continue, Reuters remains committed to seeking further information about the attack and supporting Evans’ family and the injured journalists.