According to reports, the journalists were fired on by Russian snipers in Kherson. Both were wearing 'Press' badges.
This statement was originally published on imi.org.ua on 27 April 2023.
A Russian attack on Kherson on April 26 resulted in the killing of the Ukrainian producer of the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Bohdan Bitik, who was working together with the newspaper’s correspondent, Corrado Zunino. The newspaper reported the news on its website.
According to IMI’s sources in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ukrainian producer was part of the filming crew helmed by Corrado Zunino, who was wounded in the attack, reportedly receiving a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
IMI’s sources say that the Ukrainian fixer had no bulletproof vest and was wearing only a vest with a “Press” badge. The Italian correspondent, however, was wearing a bulletproof vest.
“We regard this situation as a war crime against journalists, committed by the Russians,” said IMI executive Oksana Romaniuk.
According to the newspaper, the journalists were ambushed by Russian snipers near a bridge. Both had “Press” badges. According to Corrado, he was wearing a bulletproof vest which bore the inscription “Press”.
“We passed three checkpoints, Bohdan talked to the Ukrainian military, they let us through without any issues. This was not a combat area. Then we were hit, I heard a hiss and saw Bohdan on the ground, he was not moving. I crawled out of the firing line. I ran until I saw a civilian car. I was covered in blood, they took me to the Kherson hospital. I have four injuries, but they gave me excellent treatment. I tried to call him several times. Bohdan, he did not pick up the phone. He was a great friend of mine,” Corrado said.
Bohdan Bitik is survived by his wife and son.
According to IMI, Bohdan Bitik became the 54th media worker to die as a result of Russia’s aggression (and the ninth media worker to die while performing journalistic work).
Background
Law enforcers began a pre-trial investigation into the wounding of reporter Corrado Zunino. A case for violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) has been opened.
According to the investigation, on April 26, Russian troops opened fire in the area of the Antonivsky Bridge near Kherson, resulting in the death of a civilian. The foreign publication’s correspondent, who was working on a report about life in the city, received a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
