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February 26, 2025 – Ukraine –
Ukrainian journalist Tetiana Kulyk was killed in a Russian drone attack on February 21, 2025, in the Kyiv region. The strike, which also took the life of her husband, a prominent surgeon, occurred when a Shahed drone directly hit their home in the town of Hostomel, northwest of Kyiv. Kulyk’s tragic death adds to the growing toll on journalists in the ongoing war, with press freedom groups demanding accountability and a full investigation.
Kulyk, 54, worked for the news outlet Kyivska Pravda and had over two decades of experience reporting on local politics, corruption, and social issues. She was widely respected for her integrity, courage, and commitment to public-interest journalism. According to local officials and neighbors, the couple had taken shelter in a corridor of their home when the drone exploded, causing fatal injuries.
International journalist advocacy organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have condemned the attack and are urging for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kulyk’s death. They stress that journalists must never be targeted in conflict zones and that killing media workers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
The IFJ called the drone strike a “war crime” and emphasized the urgent need to hold those responsible accountable. The attack highlights the extreme dangers journalists face while living and working in Ukraine, even far from the frontlines. CPJ reports that Kulyk is at least the 16th journalist to be killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, whether in targeted strikes or crossfire.
Ukrainian officials also condemned the incident, describing it as part of Russia’s broader campaign of terror targeting civilians. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended condolences to the family and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to defending press freedom and documenting war crimes.
Tetiana Kulyk’s death is a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the increasing threats journalists face. Her legacy lives on in the stories she told and the truth she sought to uncover.
Reference –
Ukrainian journalist Tetyana Kulyk killed by Russian drone in Kyiv region
