Russian State Media Correspondent Killed by Ukrainian Drone Strike in Occupied Zaporizhzhia Region

A Russian state media correspondent has been killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the occupied territory of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to the news agency RIA Novosti on Thursday.

The agency reported that "RIA Novosti military correspondent Ivan Zuev was killed in the Zaporizhzhia region and his colleague Yuri Voitkevich was seriously injured."

RIA Novosti confirmed that Zuev died "on assignment, as a result of a strike by a Ukrainian drone."

Zuev had worked for RIA Novosti for several years and had been recognized with multiple state awards during his career with the agency.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has issued condolences regarding Zuev's death and expressed wishes for Voitkevich's quick recovery, as reported by RIA Novosti.

This incident comes just two weeks after French photojournalist Antoni Lallican was killed while on assignment near the front line in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. In that same attack, Ukrainian colleague Georgiy Ivanchenko sustained wounds.

According to rights organizations, approximately two dozen journalists have lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Among the casualties was AFP video journalist Arman Soldin, who was killed by rocket fire in 2023.