Russian Airstrikes Kill RFE/RL Journalist in Kiev

A Russian airstrike hit the residential building where RFE/RL journalist Vira Hyrych lived in Kyiv, killing the journalist. Hyrych, who was born in 1967, began working for RFE/RL in February of 2018. She previously worked for a leading television station in Ukraine.

The body of Hyrych was discovered early on April 29 amid the wreckage of the building, which had been hit by a Russian missile the night before, according to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, was visiting Kyiv on April 28 at the time that airstrikes were falling on the capital, including on the apartment block. The lower floors of the building were severely damaged in videos and photographs taken on the scene. 

Igor Konashenkov, the spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, stated on April 28 that "long-range, high-precision" missiles had struck the Kyiv facilities of the Ukrainian rocket manufacturer Artem. Ukrainian officials have not commented on whether the factory was hit during the attack. On April 29, the Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported on Telegram that one body had been found in the rubble and that ten others had been injured. The mayor did not provide any additional information.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, 18 journalists have died in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country. "Today, every journalist is a hero. We are grateful to everyone who covers the events in Ukraine. Every death and crime against the media will be investigated and the perpetrators will be prosecuted," the ministry had said in a statement issued.