There are a lot of journalists working in Ukraine right now, despite the ongoing heavy violence in the country’s South East. International Information News Agency Rossiya Segodnya also has correspondents reporting from the conflict zone. Last week photo correspondent Andrei Stenin went missing in eastern Ukraine.
It was reported that Andrei Stenin was being held by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in southern part country, according to a statement made by an informed source said Friday. The campaign #freeAndrew was launched to support the missing photographer Andrei Stenin. It aims not only to attract attention to the lacking security journalists working in hot spots face, but also uncover the severity of the humanitarian catastrophe in the Ukrainian troubled region.
Meanwhile, Director-General of Rossiya Segodnya Dmitry Kiselev on Friday called for the release of Andrei Stenin:
“We call on our colleagues from Russia and other countries to back our demand for Stenin's release and expect human and professional solidarity,” Kiselev said.
Radio VR has received a lot of feedback through social media.
For example, David Bullock wrote: “They should give this journalist and all other Russian journalists a raise for their dedication to obtaining the truth. It goes to show they are doing their job too well when they are being abducted, interrogated and deported. "The Truth is Out There" and Russian reporters will find it and tell the world.”
Adam Ban shared his opinion: “People like this photographer should have never gone to such places - military photos (I mean photos taken by photographers employed by military men) are enough for most people and here he risked his life for a few photos. That's too much. I hope he will be released SOON. Human life is most important and we should all hope that he will be released. I strongly hope that there are already some negotiations and actions being made for his release whoever, wherever and whatever captured him for. I hope we will soon see news that will tell us that he has either been released or will be released soon… Reasons for his disappearance are of no importance. What matters is that the man is safe and freed/released as soon as possible. PS. Maybe some international help would REALLY make the difference here in the man's release.”
Craig Bradshaw believes: “Ukraine is now run by war criminals, they don't need any reason to murder!”
Beatrice McCartney added “The reason is his photography! for sure!”
What's your take on the situation? Send us an email! As always, we are eager to hear and share your feedback. Visit en.ria.ru/radio.
