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June 27, 2025 – China/Ukraine –
Chinese journalist Lu Yuguang was injured during a Ukrainian drone strike near the village of Korenevo in Russia’s Kursk region, close to the Ukrainian border. Lu, a seasoned correspondent for Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, suffered head injuries while covering military activity with a film crew. Russian authorities claim the drone was launched by Ukraine and accuse Kyiv of deliberately targeting journalists to suppress media coverage.
Lu, 63, reportedly declined hospitalization and treated his wounds himself. A video released by Russian state media shows him bandaged but composed, vowing to continue reporting. Russian officials opened a terrorism investigation into the strike and called on the United Nations and international organizations to respond, framing the incident as an attack on freedom of the press. “This was not just a strike against infrastructure, but against journalists trying to reveal the truth,” claimed acting regional governor Alexander Khinshtein.
Phoenix TV confirmed the incident and described the attack as “an act of violence against the media.” China’s Foreign Ministry responded cautiously, expressing concern for Lu’s safety and urging all sides to pursue a peaceful resolution. While Beijing demanded that the safety of its citizens be guaranteed, it carefully avoided blaming Ukraine directly, reflecting China’s strategic balancing act between preserving its image as a neutral mediator and maintaining close ties with Russia.
Ukraine has not officially commented on the incident. Requests for statements from Ukrainian officials have gone unanswered, and independent verification of the circumstances remains limited due to restricted access in conflict areas.
This incident underscores the increasing risks journalists face in modern war zones, especially when operating near volatile front lines. It also highlights how the involvement of foreign nationals, particularly from influential states like China, can internationalize local conflict dynamics. Russia has used the attack to reinforce its narrative of Western and Ukrainian hostility, while China must navigate the complex optics of a journalist injured on Russian soil during a strike allegedly from Ukraine.
Lu Yuguang’s injury has not only raised questions about press safety in conflict zones but also added another layer of tension to the already fragile geopolitical triangle between Russia, Ukraine, and China.
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