President Zelensky reacts to tragic death of Ukrainian journalists in Kramatorsk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a heartfelt and firm response to the tragic death of two Ukrainian journalists in Kramatorsk amid a Russian drone strike.
According to the president, this incident further evidences the brutality and ongoing aggression Russia directs against independent media personnel who report on its war against Ukraine.On October 23, in Kramatorsk, a drone attack led to the deaths of journalist Olena Hubanova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin, while another Ukrainian journalist, Oleksandr Kolychev, sustained serious injuries.
The attack was carried out by a ‘Lance’ drone targeting the team of the Ukrainian TV channel ‘Freedom.’ This information was confirmed by the Ukrainian President’s official Telegram channel.Zelensky expressed condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, emphasizing that their courage and bravery in exposing the atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine will never be forgotten.
“I also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded journalist and strength to his family in this difficult time,” he added.
Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has killed 135 media workers, with the total number of casualties since 2014 being even higher.The president highlighted that such attacks are part of a deliberate Russian strategy aimed at silencing all independent voices that report about war crimes.
He called on the international community to intensify efforts to support Ukraine and to increase pressure on Russia through various global organizations, including the UN and OSCE.
Zelensky stressed that such support is essential to ending the war as quickly as possible.According to the International Media Institute, Olena Hubanova, also known as Alona Hramova, was born in Yenakiieve, Donetsk region.
Since 2021, she had worked as a war correspondent for Ukrainian state media, and in June 2023, she was awarded the Order of Princess Olga III degree.
Yevhen Karmazin, a native of Kramatorsk, had been working as an operator since 2022.
Both are numbered 14th and 15th media casualties in the ongoing conflict.In recent times, the world increasingly recognizes the dangerous environment for journalists working in Ukraine, and international efforts to protect media workers are gaining importance.
Organizations advocating for press freedom call for stronger actions to defend journalists from targeted attacks and to uphold truth and transparency during wartime.