In a devastating incident on Saturday night, a hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, was hit by a Russian strike, resulting in a Reuters staff member missing and several others injured. The hotel, known as Hotel Sapphire, housed a six-person crew from Reuters who were in the region to cover the ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to a statement from a Reuters spokesperson, the strike occurred on August 24, 2024, leaving one safety adviser unaccounted for, while two others were taken to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, three other colleagues were accounted for, although they suffered mild injuries. Reuters is actively cooperating with local authorities in Kramatorsk to gather more information about the incident.

Local officials have reported that the strike resulted in at least one fatality and multiple injuries. The United States State Department confirmed that an American citizen was among those injured, but did not disclose further details. In an update, the head of Kramatorsk City's military administration, Oleksandr Honcharenko, announced that the body of one man was discovered under the rubble, but did not provide additional information or identify the victim.

Vadym Filashkin, the head of Donetsk regional military administration, revealed that the injured journalists belonged to different nationalities, including citizens of Ukraine, the United States, Latvia, and Germany.

Footage captured by the Reuters crew on Sunday morning showcased the extensive damage inflicted on the hotel. Emergency services were seen sifting through large piles of debris using torches, navigating the destroyed hotel rooms. The video also revealed significant damage to the hotel's roof.

Kramatorsk has been a recurring target of Russian shelling since the outset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. Despite the ongoing conflict, the city remains one of the largest areas under Ukrainian control in the eastern region.

This unfortunate incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangerous conditions faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones. As investigations continue, the international community will closely monitor developments and hope for the safe recovery of the missing staff member, while providing support to those who were injured in the attack.