Credited from: REUTERS
Key takeaways from the reported incident:
A Russian state television reported the death of war correspondent Anna Prokofieva, 35, due to a landmine explosion near the Ukraine border in the Belgorod region. This tragic event occurred while she was covering the ongoing conflict, underscoring the imminent dangers that journalists face in such volatile regions.
According to the network's statement, Prokofieva died while "performing her professional duty," and her team faced the explosion from what was described as an "enemy mine" laid by Ukrainian forces. Her cameraman, Dmitry Volkov, was also injured in this incident. The pair had entered the area amidst ongoing military conflict and drone attacks from Ukraine.
Prokofieva had recently posted on social media, showcasing moments from her assignments. In her final post on Telegram, she depicted herself in military gear near the border, accompanied by a caption that included a derogatory reference to Ukraine. Her crossing into the area occurred at a time when reports indicated renewed tensions and small-scale attacks targeting Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the situation, claiming that Ukrainian forces were deliberately violating international laws by targeting journalists. The danger for reporters in the Ukraine conflict has intensified, with at least 21 journalists losing their lives since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
For further details, refer to the full coverage on HuffPost, Reuters, and Times of India.