Moscow, January 5, 2025 – The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned a targeted drone attack that killed Alexander Martemyanov, a freelance correspondent for Izvestiya newspaper, and left several of his colleagues injured.

The attack, attributed to Ukrainian militants under the Kiev regime, also wounded at least four other Russian journalists, including reporters from RIA Novosti, Mikhail Kevkhiev and Maxim Romanenko.

The tragedy occurred on January 4, when a vehicle carrying the journalists was returning from Donetsk after documenting the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gorlovka, which had been shelled by Ukrainian forces.

The journalists' vehicle was struck by an explosive-laden kamikaze drone while traveling in an area far from the front lines, suggesting that they were deliberately targeted. According to eyewitness accounts from the survivors, the attack was a calculated attempt to eliminate media personnel, highlighting the increasing danger faced by journalists working in conflict zones.

In a statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed deep condolences to Martemyanov’s family, his colleagues at Izvestiya, and all those currently covering the ongoing military operations. She also wished a swift recovery to the injured journalists.

Zakharova described the attack as a "barbaric act of terrorism," pointing out that it is part of a wider pattern of violence orchestrated by the Zelensky regime, which she accused of using terrorist tactics to target its ideological adversaries.

"This deliberate killing of Russian journalists is yet another in a series of violent crimes carried out by the Kiev regime, which continues to use terror to silence those who oppose its actions. The victims of these attacks include not just civilians but journalists and war correspondents who are fulfilling their professional duty in conflict zones," Zakharova said.

Zakharova also criticized international organizations, such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNESCO, and the OSCE, for what she termed their "willful ignorance" of the crimes committed by Ukrainian forces.

She specifically referenced a recent draft report by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay that failed to mention the deaths of Russian journalists at the hands of Ukrainian militants, despite numerous such incidents. "This policy of impunity, where international bodies turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the Kiev regime, is a dangerous precedent.

UNESCO’s failure to acknowledge the murder of Russian journalists exposes a serious bias in their stance, making them complicit in these acts of violence," Zakharova stated. The Russian Ministry has demanded that Audrey Azoulay and other international human rights organizations issue strong condemnations of the attack and hold those responsible accountable.

Zakharova called for a "proper response" from the global community, stressing that vague statements and inaction would not suffice. "International bodies advocating for human rights must take a clear stand and identify the perpetrators of these crimes.

The perpetrators of this brutal murder must face justice," Zakharova concluded. The Russian government has vowed to ensure that those responsible for the attack on the journalists will be identified and brought to justice.

The killing of Martemyanov and the injury of his colleagues has intensified calls from Moscow for greater protection of journalists operating in conflict zones and for a reevaluation of international oversight regarding media safety in war zones.