A video shot by independent cameraman Alex Chan Tsz Yul shows the moment a hand grenade hit a group of journalists in Severodonetsk, eastern Ukraine. Allegedly, the Russian attack took place on May 28, when the city was still the scene of conflict.
The recording was done by a GoPro camera attached to the cameraman’s helmet. Alex Chan, Ukrainian documentary filmmaker Mykola Pastukh and freelance journalist Kaoru Ng Severodonetsk, region Luhansk, using the last working bridge in the nearby city from Lysychansk.
When they saw the burning vehicles and Russian troops about 600 meters away, they decided to retreat. The group hid the car, but approached on foot to take pictures, Alex Chan told the Committee to Protect Journalists. Meanwhile, two Ukrainian soldiers crossed the bridge and instructed the group to return to the vehicle as the area was dangerous.
That’s when the first grenade explodes next to them. Ukrainian documentary filmmaker Mykola Pastukh was hit by shrapnel and one of the soldiers was wounded in the leg.
Alex Chan said he and Kaoru Ng were wearing jackets with “Press” and mikola Pastukh had a black bulletproof jacket.
After the first explosion, the group hides in a ditch until the shooting is over. Two more explosions are heard, and then journalists rush to reach the vehicle and flee.
Kaoru ng He told the committee that the first attack was extremely accurate. “It was just us and two soldiers nearby and nothing else to shoot at.”
My military friends in Ukraine suggest that a Russian army connection in the area may have reported our location. An artillery strike wouldn’t normally be that accurate and we were 500-600 meters from the attack zone.
Alex the cameraman chan tzz Yul on social media
The cameraman added that the injured were taken to the hospital, but they could not give information about the health status of the soldier.
During an interview on May 31 area zaboronUkrainian documentary filmmaker mikola Pastukh said that due to his injuries, he could not move all four fingers of his right hand. Doctors note that complex surgery will be required.
After the attack, the Committee to Protect Journalists urged Russian and Ukrainian authorities to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of journalists.
“We are deeply concerned about the attack that injured Ukrainian journalist Mykola Pastukh, and we want to remind warring parties that journalists should be treated as civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law,” said Gulnoza Said, the Committee’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator.
source: Noticias
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