At least 6 newsrooms damaged in Russian attack on Kyiv

At least six newsrooms and media outlets have been damaged in Russia's large-scale combined attack on Kyiv, while a married couple of journalists lost their home.

Source: Serhii Tomilenko, Head of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, on Facebook

Details: Tomilenko said damage has so far been reported to the workspaces of the following media outlets:

• Deutsche Welle (DW): windows were blown out and the ceiling was damaged in the Kyiv bureau office
• ARD, a German public broadcaster: equipment and windows sustained damage
• Realna Hazeta, a Ukrainian media outlet relocated from Luhansk Oblast: not a single window was left intact in the newsroom
• UNIAN, a Ukrainian news agency: windows were blown out
• Graty, a Ukrainian media outlet that specialises in courtroom reporting: the ceiling and windows were damaged in the newsroom and audio studio
• Shelter, a Ukrainian media outlet: office and studio sustained damage; the repairs are already under way

The attack also damaged the homes of some journalists. The Zakharchenko couple – Artem Zakharchenko, a journalist, editor and lecturer at the Institute of Journalism of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and journalist and writer Olena Zakharchenko – were left without a home.

"The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) is ready to support colleagues affected by the attack. Journalists and newsrooms can, if needed, use the space of the NUJU's Kyiv Journalists' Solidarity Centre at the Union's office on Khreshchatyk as a temporary place to work.

If a newsroom has lost the ability to operate normally, we are ready to help," the NUJU said.

The Union is documenting crimes against journalists and media outlets, and is asking people to contact the NUJU or the network of Journalists' Solidarity Centres. In addition to documentation, they can help coordinate the necessary support.

The Union reports all documented crimes to international media and human rights organisations, as well as to the European and International Federations of Journalists.

Background:

• Russian forces carried out a large-scale combined attack on Kyiv on the night of 23-24 May, using loitering munitions as well as air-, sea- and ground-launched missiles. Numerous hits on residential buildings were recorded in the aftermath of the attack.
• Heritage sites and cultural institutions also sustained damage. Those are buildings belonging to a theatre, a philharmonic hall, two museums, a library, universities, a church, a monastery and architectural landmarks.

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