Kramatorsk, Ukraine – A British safety adviser lost his life, and two journalists were injured in a Russian strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. Reuters had a team staying at the hotel to cover the ongoing war in Ukraine when the tragic incident occurred. The safety adviser, identified as Ryan Evans, was killed in the attack. Additionally, two journalists were hospitalized, one with serious injuries.
Evans, a former British soldier, had been with Reuters since 2022, providing safety guidance to journalists in various regions, including Ukraine, Israel, and the Paris Olympics. He was highly valued within the organization and will be deeply missed. Three other colleagues were also injured but are currently in stable condition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims during his daily address. He highlighted the ongoing terror inflicted by Russian forces and called for an end to the violence. Both British and American citizens were present at the hotel during the attack, adding to the international impact of the tragedy.
Following the strike, rescue teams worked to uncover bodies and assess the damage. The extensive destruction to the hotel was captured in videos shared by the Reuters crew, showcasing the chaos and devastation caused by the Russian missile. This event is not the first time Kramatorsk has been targeted, as the city has been a frequent site of Russian shelling since the conflict began in 2022.
In a statement, UK officials acknowledged the reports of a missing British national in Ukraine and are actively seeking more information. The US State Department confirmed that an American citizen was among the injured individuals but did not disclose further details. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely and calls for accountability for the tragic loss of life.