Reuters safety adviser working with a group of journalists was killed, and two journalists were injured in a missile strike on their hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, on Sunday.

The attack hit the Hotel Sapphire, where a six-member team from a major news agency was staying. According to a statement from the news organization, the security adviser who lost his life was identified as Ryan Evans. The statement also revealed that two journalists are currently hospitalized, with one of them in serious condition. The remaining three members of the team are safe.

Ryan Evans, 38, a former British soldier, had been with the news agency since 2022. The organization is working with local authorities in Kramatorsk to gather more details about the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has blamed the strike on Russian forces, claiming that an Iskander missile, a type of ballistic missile often used in the conflict, was employed in the attack. In an online speech, Zelensky condemned the assault as part of the ongoing "Russian terror," highlighting the continuous missile and drone attacks since the invasion began in February 2022.

The strike has added to the heavy toll on journalists covering the war. According to Reporters Without Borders, over 100 journalists have faced violence during the conflict. News organizations frequently deploy safety advisers, many with military experience, to protect their teams in high-risk areas.

The front line in eastern Ukraine, including cities like Bakhmut and Sievierodonetsk, has seen some of the conflict's most intense fighting. Kramatorsk, which had a population of around 150,000 before the war, has faced numerous attacks and was recently hit in one of the deadliest assaults on civilians. Many residents have evacuated following government orders.

The city is located approximately 16 miles west of the front line. Russia aims to capture Kramatorsk as part of its strategy to control the Donetsk region fully. Regional military chief Vadym Filashkin reported the overnight attack, noting injuries and a missing person. Emergency services are working to clear debris from a nearby high-rise also targeted in the assault.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has not commented on the attack, and there was no immediate response from Russian authorities regarding the incident.

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