Russian drone kills two journalists in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast – photos

A Russian Lancet drone strike on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, has killed journalist Olena Hubanova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin from the Ukrainian Freedom TV channel.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "From the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, they covered the situation in the region, told the truth about enemy crimes, the evacuation of civilians and the stories of our defenders. They worked in the hottest spots of Donetsk Oblast, and they were always the first to arrive everywhere."

Details: Filashkin did not provide further details but posted photos showing the journalists' destroyed car and what appeared to be their personal belongings, including press-marked body armour.

He expressed condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.

Updated: Freedom TV channel has confirmed the deaths of its journalists in Kramatorsk. As war correspondent Olena Hubanova (stage name Hramova) and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin, both natives of Donetsk Oblast, have been killed by a Russian attack.

It has also been reported that another journalist, special correspondent Oleksandr Kolychev, has been taken to hospital with injuries.

The channel said the journalists were inside a car at a petrol station at the moment of the attack.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights, has responded to the tragedy, stressing that journalists are civilians protected under international humanitarian law. He said they were fulfilling their professional duty by documenting the aftermath of Russian aggression in Ukraine and bringing the truth to the world despite constant danger.

Quote from Lubinets: "I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives. This tragedy is yet another example of Russia's systematic war crimes against civilians. The perpetrators must inevitably be held accountable in accordance with international law."

Background: Anastasiia Volkova, a war correspondent for the Ukrainian broadcaster FREEDOM, was killed in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, on 30 May.

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