Russian War Reporter Killed in Ukraine: Investigation Launched as Cluster Munitions Suspected

Russian War Reporter Killed in Ukraine, Investigation Launched In a tragic incident, a Russian war reporter was killed near Pyatikhatka in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has launched a criminal probe into the killing, blaming armed Ukrainian formations for deliberately targeting and firing at a group of Russian journalists.

The committee did not specify the type of weapons or munitions used in the attack, but it is believed to be cluster munitions. Rostislav Zhuravlev, a journalist for RIA state news agency, was killed in the incident, while his colleague Konstantin Mikhalchevsky and two employees of Izvestia newspaper, Roman Polshakov and Dmitry Shikov, were injured.

The committee has vowed to establish all the circumstances of the crime against media representatives and identify those involved. It also announced that Zhuravlev will be nominated for a medal, acknowledging his commitment to defending and informing the truth. It is important to note that Ukraine recently received supplies of cluster munitions from the United States.

Although Ukraine has assured that these munitions will only be used to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers, both sides in the conflict have used cluster munitions during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Cluster munitions are widely condemned as they release shrapnel over a wide area, posing a significant risk to civilians.

These munitions also have a high rate of unexploded ordnance, which can pose a threat to civilians long after the initial attack. It is crucial to independently verify the details of this incident as Reuters could not do so at the time of reporting.

The use of cluster munitions by both parties in this ongoing conflict emphasizes the urgent need for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.