2 Russian journalists, accompanying official injured in Ukrainian drone attack

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Two Russian journalists were seriously injured on Thursday when they and their companion were hit by a Ukrainian drone while reporting in the Donetsk region.

Russian NTV TV channel reported that two of its journalists were severely injured in eastern Ukraine.

Initially, reports indicated that three journalists were wounded, but the Russian Defence Ministry later clarified in a separate statement that the third person was an accompanying officer.

All three people have been hospitalized, with correspondent Alexey Ivliev and cameraman Valery Kozhin currently in a coma and awaiting surgery, the TV channel said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova strongly condemned the attack, accusing Ukraine of "intentionally targeting journalists."

The official, during a press conference in Moscow, called on the relevant international organizations to condemn Ukraine's attack.

Kyiv has yet to respond to Russia's claims that Ukrainian armed forces deliberately targeted journalists using a drone.