Ukrainian Journalist Killed in Russian Shelling of Kyiv Television Tower

A blast is seen in the TV tower, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 1, 2022. Photo Credits: Carlos Barria/Reuters.

Yevhenii Sakun, 49, a correspondent for EFE and camera operator for the Ukrainian television channel LIVE, was killed on 1 March when the Russian military shelled a TV transmission tower in Kyiv. Press organizations worldwide condemned the killing as a war crime and urged the Russian military not to target media workers and facilities.

Ruslana Pakhalyuk, chief of staff at NEWS Network Holding, says they are attempting to contact Yevhenii Sakun's family since the flat in the capital is closed, and there are no neighbors.

News Network holding stated that they would be ready to assist the family with the funeral arrangements. Additionally, its employees are providing nationwide support through a news telethon covering the fight against Russia, and its journalists and operators are creating joint national news to protect Ukraine.

Fellow Ukrainian correspondent Olga Tokariuk confirmed Sakun's death: "It was a pleasure working with him. I am devastated by this news," she wrote along with a picture of the murdered cameraman's professional press card​.​

On a separate incident, Danish reporters Stefan Weichert and Emil Filtenborg Mikkelsen were shot by unidentified attackers on their way to cover a shelling in Ohtyrka, Ukraine.​ While reporting from the location of a suspected Russian airstrike, an unidentified attacker fired "20 or 30 rounds" at the journalists, hitting reporter Stefan Weichert once in the shoulder and photographer Emil Filtenborg Mikkelsen three times, once in each of his legs and his back. ​

The Ukrainian government claims that 2.000 civilians have already been killed since the beginning of hostilities by the Russian military.