A British citizen working for Reuters has been found dead following a suspected Russian airstrike in eastern Ukraine, the news agency confirmed. Ryan Evans, a safety advisor for Reuters, was discovered under the rubble of Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, a city under Ukrainian control but close to the front line, on Sunday.
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces targeted the hotel in the Donetsk region. Russia has not commented on the incident. In a statement, Reuters expressed their devastation over the loss of Ryan Evans, who was with their reporting team in Ukraine. Evans was part of a Reuters crew staying at the hotel when it was struck by a missile on Saturday, 24 August 2024. Two journalists are hospitalised, one with serious injuries, while three other colleagues are safe.
Reuters is urgently seeking more information about the attack, collaborating with authorities in Kramatorsk and supporting their colleagues and families. They extended their deepest condolences to Evans’s family and loved ones, highlighting his significant contributions to their global coverage.
Reuters safety adviser Ryan Evans was killed in a strike on a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk https://t.co/n1m3aY3x4d pic.twitter.com/4rfozcgNLx
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 26, 2024
Evans, 38, was a former British soldier who joined Reuters in 2022. He advised journalists on safety in various regions, including Ukraine, Israel, and during the Paris Olympics.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a Russian Iskander missile, capable of striking up to 500km, hit the hotel. In his evening address on Sunday, he described the strike as deliberate and offered condolences to the victims’ families and friends.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Hindu reports that a British safety adviser was killed and two others injured when a Russian missile struck a hotel in eastern Ukraine, where a team of journalists was working.(read more)
- Island FM reports a British citizen, Ryan Evans, found dead after a Russian missile strike on Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, Ukraine.(read more)
- BBC News reports on the strategic importance of the UK’s relationship with India, highlighting the recent visit by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to New Delhi, emphasizing the strengthening of economic ties and cooperation in defense and climate change.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Ryan Evans?
Ryan Evans was a British safety advisor for Reuters and a former soldier.
How did Ryan Evans die?
Ryan Evans died in a suspected Russian airstrike on Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, Ukraine.
What was Ryan Evans’ role at Reuters?
Ryan Evans advised Reuters journalists on safety in various global locations.
What happened to other Reuters journalists in the attack?
Two journalists are hospitalized, one with serious injuries, and three colleagues are safe.
What did Ukrainian President Zelenskyy say about the attack?
Zelenskyy said the hotel was hit by a Russian Iskander missile and called it a purposeful strike.