By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Tragedy Strikes Amid Ongoing Conflict in Eastern Europe
A British national, Ryan Evans, who was working as a safety advisor for a Reuters news team in eastern Ukraine, was killed in a missile strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk on Saturday, according to the news agency.
Evans was among six Reuters employees staying at the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, a city under Ukrainian control but close to the front line, when the hotel was struck by a Russian missile. Russia has not yet commented on the incident.
In a statement, Reuters expressed deep sorrow over Evans's death, stating, "We are devastated by the loss of Ryan Evans. We are urgently seeking more information about the attack and are working closely with authorities in Kramatorsk. Our deepest condolences go out to Ryan’s family and loved ones. He was an invaluable member of our team, having supported our journalists in covering major events around the world. His absence will be deeply felt."
The agency also confirmed that two other members of the team were hospitalized as a result of the strike, with one of them sustaining serious injuries.
The National Police of Ukraine reported that the body of the 40 year old British man was recovered from the hotel’s rubble on Sunday evening after a 19 hour search. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences on Telegram, condemning the incident as part of the "daily Russian terror."
Footage released by Reuters showed significant destruction at the hotel, with firefighters working to sift through the debris. Ukrainian authorities believe the hotel was likely hit by a short range Iskander M missile.
Kramatorsk, located about 20 kilometers from Russian occupied territory, has frequently come under attack, with civilians, including prominent Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, among those killed. The ongoing conflict in the region remains intense, with the Russian military making gradual advances in the east, while Ukraine's recent offensive into Russian territory appears aimed at diverting Russian forces from the eastern front.
