During the war in Ukraine 18 journalists were killed, 3 disappeared without a trace, 8 were kidnapped and 13 media representatives were injured, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy reported.
"The work of journalists during the war is a frontline. Representatives of the media are often not only physically at the front and cover the course of military events, but they are warriors of the information front. Today they debunk endless absurd Kremlin lies. We deeply appreciate the contribution of each to our common struggle on the information front against the bloodthirsty enemy," the ministry said in a statement.
It is noted that according to the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, Russia committed 74 crimes against the media, including 19 against citizens of other states: the United Kingdom - 5, the Czech Republic - 2, the U.S. - 2, Denmark - 2, the UAE - 2, the Russian Federation - 2, Ireland - 1, Switzerland - 1, France - 1, Lithuania - 1.
In particular, 18 journalists died (including 15 men and 3 women), 8 people (4 men and 4 women) were kidnapped, 13 people were injured, 3 people went missing and 15 journalists were intimidated.
In addition, at least 7 instances of shootings were recorded that resulted in damage or destruction of television towers and TV and radio stations, and 22 blockades and cyber attacks on media were recorded.
Thus, 31 journalists were affected in the Kiev region, 15 in Zaporizhzhia, 7 in Kyiv, 5 in Kherson, 5 in Donetsk, 2 in Crimea, 2 in Sumy, 2 in Odesa, 2 in Chernihiv, 1 in Mykolaiv, 1 in Luhansk, 1 in Kirovohrad, 1 in Central Ukraine.
"Ukraine cooperates with a number of international human rights organizations and informs them daily about the crimes of the Russian occupation troops against journalists who in superhuman conditions cover the events on the front line," the report says.
The Ministry stresses that each death and each crime against members of the media will certainly be investigated and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Among other things, the ministry expressed its deep condolences to the families and loved ones of all the wounded, captured, missing and murdered journalists.
