British Safety Expert Among Casualties in Ukraine Hotel Incident

A British safety advisor embedded with Reuters journalists in Ukraine has tragically died following a Russian missile strike.

At a Glance

A safety advisor for Reuters, Ryan Evans, was killed in a missile strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine.
The incident occurred at the Hotel Sapphire where a six-person Reuters team was staying.
Two journalists were wounded and hospitalized, one with serious injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Moscow for the attack, stating that Russian forces used an Iskander missile.

A Tragic Loss in Kramatorsk

Ryan Evans, a British safety advisor working for Reuters, was killed in a Russian missile strike that hit the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. The missile strike resulted in significant destruction to the hotel, which housed a six-person Reuters team. Evans, who had previously worked as an operations manager for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Libya, was a devoted professional committed to ensuring the safety of journalists in conflict zones.

The devastating attack also left two journalists injured and hospitalized, one of whom is battling serious injuries. Reuters released a statement saying, “Two of our journalists are in the hospital; one is being treated for serious injuries. Three other colleagues have been accounted for and are safe.” Evans’s body was recovered after a harrowing 19-hour search.

The Scope of Destruction

The missile strike did not just damage the Hotel Sapphire; a nearby multistory building was also destroyed in the attack. According to local officials and reporters, the region has faced ongoing attacks from Russian forces. The use of an Iskander-M Russian ballistic missile in the incident has been confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, describing it as “calculated” and “deliberate.” Zelenskyy extended his condolences to Evans’s family and friends in an evening address.

Zelenskyy stated, “A regular city hotel was destroyed by a Russian Iskander missile. Deliberately. Calculated. Seven people were injured, and one person lost their life. My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones.” Moreover, footage released by Reuters has shown the extensive destruction caused by the missile strike in Kramatorsk.

British man dies in Russian missile strike on hotel in Ukraine https://t.co/18LA2SmoEC

— Metro (@MetroUK) August 25, 2024

Continued Conflict and Civilian Impact

The missile strike in Kramatorsk is part of a broader pattern of Russian attacks on northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine, resulting in at least 37 injuries across various regions. In the eastern Kharkiv region, several Russian attacks have led to multiple civilian injuries, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis. In Kharkiv city, eight people were wounded when a residential house was set on fire by another Russian attack.

Ukraine’s air force has noted that most of these Russian missiles did not reach their intended targets. However, the ones that do continue to cause severe harm and destruction. In Kharkiv’s Chuhuiv region, five people were injured, including two children, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these attacks.

🔵British safety adviser killed in missile strike on hotel in Ukraine https://t.co/Z6nHTiiXFm

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 25, 2024

Global Ramifications

The ongoing conflict has not just impacted Ukraine. In Russia, five people recently died due to Ukrainian shelling in the Belgorod border region. Moreover, twelve others were wounded in the Russian village of Rakitone, including a critically injured 16-year-old girl. Another man died in a separate drone attack on the border village of Solovevka.

The missile attack on Kramatorsk underscores the high risks faced by journalists and their safety advisors reporting from conflict zones. These professionals put their lives on the line to ensure the world remains informed about critical events. Evans’s tragic death accentuates the need for heightened measures to ensure the safety of those working in such perilous situations.

“Two of our journalists are in hospital; one is being treated for serious injuries. Three other colleagues have been accounted for and are safe,” said the statement, identifying the security adviser who was killed as Ryan Evans.

Writing on Telegram, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent his “condolences to [the] family and friends” of the man killed.

Conclusion

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to claim lives and devastate communities. The loss of Ryan Evans, a dedicated safety advisor for Reuters, is a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by those striving to document the truth. As the battle rages on, the international community must continue to reflect on and address the human costs of this ongoing conflict.

“We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to Ryan’s family and loved ones. Ryan has helped so many of our journalists cover events around the world; we will miss him terribly.”