UNESCO Condemns Killing of Russian Reporter, Calls for Investigation

On Monday, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on Monday condemned the killing of Rostislav Zhuravlev, the Sputnik war correspondent who died during the evacuation of his wounds in the Special Military Operations Zone on Saturday.

“I deplore the death of Rostislav Zhuravlev and call for an investigation into the circumstances. Journalists serve a critical role in informing the world about conflict situations and must be protected. I reiterate my call for the observance of international humanitarian law, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of conflict,” Azoulay said in a statement.

Russia's Defense Ministry reported that Zhuravlev, Sputnik's military correspondent, died while being evacuated from injuries caused by a cluster submunition exploding in the conflict zone on Saturday.

Several other Russian journalists were injured, including Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky and Izvestia reporter Roman Bolshakov.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said those responsible for Zhuravlev's killing, including suppliers of cluster munitions to Kyiv, would be punished.