Russian journalist dies after HIMARS strike in Ukraine
- Nikita Goldin, a Russian military correspondent, was seriously injured by a Ukrainian HIMARS rocket strike a month before his death.
- The attack, which occurred in the Lugansk People's Republic, resulted in the deaths of Goldin's two colleagues and their driver.
- Goldin's death has sparked accusations from Russian officials regarding the Ukrainian government's treatment of journalists.
In the Lugansk People's Republic, a Russian military correspondent named Nikita Goldin succumbed to his injuries after sustaining serious wounds from a rocket strike. This incident occurred a month before his death on April 24, 2025, when he and other journalists were traveling by car and were attacked by a US-supplied HIMARS rocket system. Goldin was critically injured, and the attack also resulted in the deaths of two of his colleagues, Izvestia reporter Aleksandr Fedorchak and Zvezda cameraman Andrey Panov, along with their driver. Goldin, who began his journalism career with the Defense Ministry TV channel Zvezda in 2024, was previously known as a promising taekwondo fighter. His death was announced by Zvezda, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones due to military actions. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of media professionals in war-torn areas. In the aftermath, Russian officials condemned the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labeling it as evidence of the “terrorist, savage nature” of the Ukrainian government. Zakharova pointed out attacks on Russian reporters as part of a broader trend of brutality against journalists during the ongoing Ukraine conflict. She called attention to what she described as a deliberate negligence by international organizations that are supposed to protect journalists’ rights. This statement reflects ongoing tensions and hostilities in the region, along with the complex narrative surrounding media coverage of the conflict. Russian officials have proclaimed that the deaths of their journalists, like Goldin, are being ignored for political motives, indicating a charged atmosphere surrounding the representation of events in Ukraine. The death of Nikita Goldin serves as a tragedy that emphasizes the increasing risks faced by journalists and the profound implications such violent incidents have on media freedoms and the safety of reporters in conflicts around the globe.