Ukrainian fixer Ivan Zakharenko injured while accompanying German journalists in the combat zone (UPDATE)

While performing a journalistic assignment in the Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukrainian fixer Ivan Zakharenko, who worked with the German journalistic group of the WELT TV channel, was injured. The incident occurred while filming the work of the mobile air defense unit of the 42^nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, WELT reported on October 27.

The journalistic team, led by reporter Ibrahim Naber, was accompanying a Ukrainian air defense unit that was patrolling an open area approximately 30 kilometers from the front line in the Dnipropetrovsk Region. The journalists wore clear signs of their profession. The filming began at 8:00 p.m. local time.

At about 9:30 p.m., a russian Lancet strike drone hit an army truck next to which the film crew was located. At the time of the attack, the journalists were only a few meters from the equipment.

As a result of the attack, fixer Ivan Zakharenko was injured in the leg by metal fragments, and severe bleeding began. As reported by Ibrahim Naber on October 28, Ivan has now been discharged from the hospital.

Operator Viktor Lysenko received minor injuries. Ukrainian serviceman Kostiantyn died on the spot. Soldier Ihor, whom the journalists interviewed only 30 minutes before the incident, received serious injuries, as a result of which he had to have his leg amputated.

Reporter Ibrahim Naber was not injured; he and the operator provided first aid to the wounded Ivan, then dragged him to a safe distance in the forest belt.

After calling for help, the evacuation team took the injured out about 30 minutes later. Ivan was taken to a field hospital, where he received the necessary medical care.

According to Ibrahim Naber, this was the most dangerous incident in his three and a half years of work in the war zone. Military analysts who reviewed the video of the incident noted that the journalistic group was very lucky, since the consequences could have been much more tragic.

Journalist Ibrahim Naber launched a charity campaign to support the seriously wounded soldier, Igor, on his path to recovery.

As a reminder, on October 23 in Kramatorsk, a russian strike drone Lancet killed two journalists of the Ukrainian foreign service FREEDOM – war correspondent Aliona Hramova (Hubanova) and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin. Special correspondent Oleksandr Kolychev was injured.