Ukraine: Russian missile-and-drone attack damaged six media offices in Kyiv

The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) join their affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), in condemning one of the largest Russian missile-and-drone attacks on Kyiv on the night of 23-24 May, which damaged media infrastructure and affected journalists and their families. The IFJ and EFJ express solidarity with Ukrainian journalists and call for international accountability for attacks devastating civilian infrastructure, including media operations in Ukraine.

During the massive overnight missile-and-drone attack on Kyiv on the night of 23-24 May, civilians were killed and dozens injured, while residential, civilian and media infrastructure sustained severe damage. At least six media outlets and editorial offices have already reported damage to their premises and working spaces. Journalists and members of their families were also among those affected.

Among the damaged media organisations are the Kyiv bureau of Deutsche Welle (DW), the German public broadcaster ARD studio, the relocated media outlet Realna Hazeta, the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency UNIAN, the online media project Shelter, and the premises of Graty’s editorial office and audio studio. Newsrooms reported shattered windows, damaged equipment and destroyed workspaces, although media teams continue their reporting despite the destruction.

Journalists’ homes were also among those destroyed. The apartment of Artem Zakharchenko, a journalism lecturer at Kyiv National University, and Olena Zakharchenko, a journalism graduate, was completely destroyed.

NUJU is documenting the consequences of the attack and informing international partners, including the IFJ and EFJ, human rights organisations and media freedom groups, stressing the need for an adequate international response and accountability for crimes affecting journalists and media infrastructure.

Sergiy Tomilenko, NUJU President, said: “We strongly condemn this latest Russian missile-and-drone attack on Kyiv, which once again devastated civilian infrastructure and affected journalists and their families. These indiscriminate missile and drone strikes are aimed at terrorising the civilian population and destroying the foundations of normal life, including the infrastructure that enables independent journalism to function. We remain in direct contact with affected colleagues and stand in full solidarity with journalists and editorial teams who continue working despite destruction, trauma and constant danger.”

The NUJU also announced emergency support for affected journalists and editorial teams. Colleagues whose offices or homes were damaged may temporarily use the facilities of the Kyiv Journalists’ Solidarity Centre at the NUJU office in central Kyiv as a workspace while restoring operations.

“The IFJ and the EFJ strongly condemn these attacks on civilian and media infrastructure. Indiscriminate missile and drone attacks affecting journalists and newsrooms constitute yet another assault on the conditions necessary for independent journalism and the public’s right to access information,” said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger and EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez. “We stand in full solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and call for accountability for Russian crimes committed against journalists and media.”