British Safety Adviser Killed in Russian Strike on Ukrainian Hotel

A Russian missile strike on the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, claimed the life of Ryan Evans, a British safety adviser for Reuters news agency, and left two journalists injured. The incident occurred on Saturday night, as the Reuters team covered the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Incident

Ryan Evans, a 38-year-old British citizen and former soldier, had been working with Reuters since 2022. He was responsible for advising journalists on safety measures in high-risk areas, including Ukraine, Israel, and the Paris Olympics. Evans and five other members of the Reuters crew were staying at the Hotel Sapphire when the strike occurred.

The Russian attack resulted in extensive damage to the hotel. Video footage captured by the Reuters team on Sunday morning revealed the devastation, showing emergency services sifting through the rubble with torches and highlighting the destruction of several hotel rooms and the roof.

Reuters’ Response

Reuters identified Evans as the safety adviser killed in the strike and confirmed that two of their journalists were injured, one seriously. The injured journalists were taken to a hospital for treatment. Reuters issued a statement expressing their grief over Evans’ death, emphasizing his significant contributions to the safety of their journalists around the world. “Ryan has helped so many of our journalists cover events around the world; we will miss him terribly,” the statement read. The news agency also expressed their deepest condolences to Evans’ family and loved ones.

Ukrainian and International Reactions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the presence of British and American citizens in the hotel during his daily address on Sunday. He offered condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the attack and condemned the continued Russian aggression. “This is a daily Russian terror that continues because Russia has the ability to continue,” Zelensky stated.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed awareness of reports regarding a missing British national in Ukraine and indicated that they were seeking additional information from local authorities. Meanwhile, the US State Department confirmed that an American citizen was among those injured in the strike but withheld further details.

The Aftermath

Rescue teams recovered the body of one man from the rubble, as confirmed by Oleksandr Honcharenko, head of Kramatorsk City’s military administration. While Honcharenko did not provide further details or identify the body, Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk regional military administration, confirmed via Telegram that the deceased was a British citizen.

The injured journalists included citizens from Ukraine, the United States, Latvia, and Germany. Filashkin’s update on Sunday morning reiterated the international impact of the attack, underscoring the global attention on the ongoing conflict.

Historical Context

Kramatorsk has been a frequent target of Russian shelling since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. As one of the largest cities still under Ukrainian control in the eastern region, it has seen significant damage from ongoing attacks. In April 2022, Russian forces launched a missile strike on Kramatorsk’s railway station, which was being used as a shelter for civilians fleeing the conflict. That attack claimed the lives of over 50 people, including several children, and was labeled “an apparent war crime” by Human Rights Watch and SITU Research.

The tragic loss of Ryan Evans and the injuries sustained by journalists in the Kramatorsk strike highlight the ongoing dangers faced by those covering the war in Ukraine. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, mourning the loss of lives and condemning the relentless violence.