Attack occurred while the journalists were covering the aftermath of a previous strike

Location: Ukraine, Zaporizhzhya

Date: April 5, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns Russia for its missile strike in Zaporizhzhya, which resulted in the injury of journalists Olha Zvonaryova and Kira Oves; Zvonaryova required hospitalization. This malicious military strategy of targeting the site of a prior missile attack, thereby harming journalists and emergency responders present, is a tactic repeatedly employed by the Russian army. Intentionally aiming at press working in conflict zones is a blatant war crime. Russia must be held accountable for these atrocious actions through the International Criminal Court. We call for an immediate investigation into the assault on the journalists by war crime investigators and extend our heartfelt wishes for Olha Zvonaryova and Kira Oves’ swift recovery.

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On April 5, 2024, journalists Olha Zvonaryova and Kira Oves were wounded by Russian missiles while reporting in Zaporizhzhya, a city in southeastern Ukraine.

At around 3:30 p.m. both journalists arrived to cover the aftermath of a prior Russian missile attack. They, along with other media personnel, were documenting the scene when the area was targeted by another strike, commonly known as a double-tap, launched by Russian forces.

"After the first three explosions, when they were working on the site, the emergency services arrived there, the police were there. Everyone heard the fourth rocket and started running,” recounts Zvonaryova, a reporter with state outlet Ukrinform.

Journalist with 1+1, Kira Oves, escaped with minor injuries and received stitches to her temples. Zvonaryova faced more severe wounds to her thigh and significant blood loss. She required immediate surgery, after which she was placed in an intensive care unit. A shrapnel fragment remained in her stomach, which was decided not to be removed.

On April 8, 2024, Zaporizhzhya Hospital authorities said that Zvonaryova was recovering well despite the initial severity of her injuries.

The attack on Zaporizhzhya claimed the lives of four people and left more than 20 wounded, as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities. Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klimenko condemned the strike, stating that it deliberately aimed at emergency responders, including police, rescue workers, medics, and journalists, as they rushed to aid the victims of the initial assault.

Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces have deployed this highly cynical double-tap strategy targeting press and emergency workers on multiple occasions. So far this year, six women journalists have been injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine. 

A day before the missile assault on Zaporizhzhya, journalist Yulia Boyko was injured in a Russian drone attack on Kharkiv. In January 2024, three women journalists, Özge Elif Kizil, Violetta-Anastasia Pedorych, and Anna Myasnikova sustained injuries in Russian airstrikes in Kharkiv.

Women Press Freedom has documented the tragic deaths of eight women journalists since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Oksana Baulina, Oksana Haidar, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, Vira Hyrych, Lilia Humianova, Natalia Kharakoz,  Valeriya Hlodan, and Victoria Amelina all lost their lives due to attacks by Russian forces.

In response to Russia’s continued targeting of the press in Ukraine, Women Press Freedom, in collaboration with 20 other press freedom organizations, has issued a joint statement. The statement urges international organizations to take action against Russia and hold it accountable for the war crimes committed against journalists.

The missile strike in Zaporizhzhya that injured journalists Olha Zvonaryova and Kira Oves is a blatant attack on press freedom. Russia's repeated use of this tactic to target journalists and emergency workers is unacceptable. These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to intimidate the media in Ukraine. We call for Russia to be held accountable for these war crimes by the International Criminal Court. We also urge an immediate investigation by international authorities. Our thoughts are with the injured journalists, and we hope for their speedy recovery.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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