In Ukraine, a journalist in the field is sorry for the death of an American journalist, killed by the Russian army, which occurred on Sunday near Kyiv.
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“There is only one way to respond, and that is with tremendous sadness, compassion and empathy. It reminds us how important the dangers of the terrain are, ”said Alexis Gilli, freelance journalist in an interview with LCN.
Although journalists are equipped with bulletproof vests, the equipment is not suitable for large-scale attacks such as machine gun attacks, or even in the event of bombardments.
“It is absolutely catastrophic, especially since we are clearly identified on the ground. It’s quite impossible that it’s a mistake; journalists are targeted,” says Mr. Gilli.
Contrary to what the Russian army is planning, a convention signed by all the countries stipulates that the protection of civilians and journalists exposed to the dangers of the terrain is mandatory.
“This is behavior that is absolutely unacceptable and will be condemned by the international community without a doubt,” says Gilli.
“Journalists are targets, and Moscow has no qualms about shooting journalists,” he continued.
The independent journalist admits to being tired of the multiple interrogations of armed Ukrainian civilians that he has to face daily, even if he understands their reluctance.
“People here don’t realize that we are here to tell their stories, to be on their side and to allow the whole world to understand,” he concludes.