SSU accuses Russian general over attack on Reuters journalists

The Security Service of Ukraine has served a notice of suspicion to Russian General Alexei Kim. It is known that it was he who gave the order to strike an Iskander-M missile at a Reuters film crew on August 24 this year.

This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine via Telegram on Friday, December 20.

Attack on Reuters journalists

A Russian strike on the "Sapphire" hotel in Kramatorsk killed a Reuters journalist and injured five colleagues.

"According to the SSU, Colonel General Alexei Kim, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff, is responsible for the attack. Kim allegedly signed the directive and issued the order targeting the hotel, which housed only civilians," the statement reads.

Kim used one of his subordinate missile units to carry out the attack. The occupiers struck the hotel with an Iskander-M ballistic missile.

Russian shelling destroyed a civilian building. Five people sustained injuries of varying severity.

The SSU announced charges against Kim under Ukraine's Criminal Code for:

• Waging aggressive war;
• Violating laws and customs of war.

"Efforts are ongoing to bring the perpetrator to justice. Every Russian war criminal will be found and punished," stated the SSU.

On the night of August 25, Russian occupants attacked Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, with an Iskander missile. A hotel with foreign journalists came under fire.

It is known that a six-person Reuters team was staying at the hotel. Later it became known that Ryan Evans had died.