Two Reuters staffers injured, one missing after Russian strike on hotel

According to the region’s governor, the three victims of the strike that took place on the night of Saturday to Sunday are “citizens of Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom.”

Two Reuters staffers were injured and another is missing after a strike hit a hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, on the night of Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 August, authorities and the news agency said.

Vadym Filachkin, governor of the Donetsk region where most of the fighting is taking place, said the hotel “was targeted” by the Russian army. “One of our colleagues is missing, while two others have been taken to hospital for treatment.”Reuters said in a statement, adding that three other members of their team were unharmed. “We are urgently seeking further information, working with the authorities in Kramatorsk and providing support to our colleagues and their families.”the news agency added.

According to Governor Filachkin, the three victims are “citizens of Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom”The attack, which damaged the Sapphire Hotel and a nearby building, took place “in the middle of the night”he continued on Telegram. “Police and rescue workers are working at the scene. Rubble is being cleared and rescue operations are underway.”he added.

The last major city in Donbass under Ukrainian control, Kramatorsk is located about twenty kilometers west of the front line. Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this city, which had about 150,000 inhabitants before the war, has been the target of repeated attacks by Russian forces.

According to the NGO Reporters Without Borders, at least 11 journalists have been killed in Ukraine and 35 injured since the start of the Russian invasion launched in February 2022. AFP’s video coordinator in Ukraine, Arman Soldin, was killed on May 9, 2023 at the age of 32, in a rocket attack while reporting in Chassiv Yar, near the front in the Donetsk region.