Russian Journalist Anna Prokofyeva Killed in Border Region Mine Explosion
Anna Prokofyeva, a 35-year-old Russian journalist reporting from the front lines, has died in a mine explosion close to the Ukraine border. The incident occurred in the Demidovka area of Russia’s Belgorod region, a zone that has recently seen incursions from Ukraine, according to reports. Prokofyeva’s employer, state-owned Channel One, confirmed her death.
Details of the Incident
News outlets across Russia reported Prokofyeva’s death, stating that she was killed while on assignment. Dmitry Volkov, a cameraman working alongside her, sustained injuries and is currently receiving hospital treatment.
Prior to her death, Prokofyeva’s social media activity echoed Kremlin narratives. In her last post, she referred to Ukraine as ‘country 404,’ a phrase commonly used by pro-Kremlin figures to suggest Ukraine’s lack of sovereignty.
Prokofyeva is the latest journalist death in a string of reported casualties. In the past two days, three journalists, identified as being pro-war voices, have died with another seriously injured in the region.
Russian Official Accusations
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, has alleged that Ukraine is deliberately targeting Russian journalists.
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“They are being hunted,” Zakharova stated, referring to the journalists as “war correspondents.” She further claimed that the presence of “Press” identification on their vests indicated they were intentionally targeted.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, approximately 20 media professionals have been killed in the region since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Channel One’s Tribute
Channel One, in its announcement of Prokofyeva’s death, stated she “died in the line of duty.”
The broadcaster elaborated that “the Channel One film crew was caught in an enemy mine explosion” in the Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border.
Channel One further paid tribute to Prokofyeva, highlighting her tenure as a war correspondent since 2023. The news organization also noted her fluency in Spanish and prior experience with the Rossiya Segodnya agency’s Spanish editorial division.
Recent Journalist Casualties
The death of Prokofyeva follows closely after the deaths of two other Russian journalists reportedly working for pro-Kremlin media outlets in occupied Ukrainian territory just a day prior.
In a separate incident in the Luhansk region, a third journalist sustained severe injuries when their vehicle was reportedly shelled, resulting in the death of their driver.
Luhansk Region Incident
Alexander Fedorchak, 28, a military correspondent for Izvestia, was killed in the Luhansk incident. His death occurred when the vehicle transporting media personnel was struck.
Izvestia is reportedly controlled by the pro-Kremlin National Media Group, which is headed by Alina Kabaeva, 41, formerly a rhythmic gymnast.
Andrei Panov, a cameraman from the Russian defense ministry’s TV channel Zvezda, and their driver, Alexander Sirkeli, 45, also died in the Luhansk attack. Nikita Goldin, a Zvezda war correspondent, was seriously wounded.
Kursk Region Incident
In a separate event, Mikhail Skuratov, a war correspondent for the state news agency TASS, sustained injuries from shrapnel in the Kursk region, as per reports.
Zakharova asserted that the journalists’ vehicle in Luhansk was targeted by “precise artillery fire from Kyiv.”
She claimed the attack involved “high-precision MLRS munitions targeting a clearly marked civilian vehicle carrying press representatives.”
Zakharova further condemned the alleged attack as demonstrating the “terrorist, bestial nature” of the “Kyiv regime.”
Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent figure in Russian state media, confirmed the incident, stating, “This morning, a Channel One film crew’s car detonated a mine in the region.”
He added, “The explosion resulted in the death of Anna Prokofyeva, and serious injuries to her cameraman colleague.”
Telegram channel Romanov Light, managed by military blogger Vladimir Romanov, described Prokofyeva’s death: “While performing her journalistic duties, Channel One war correspondent Anna Prokofyeva was killed. She was a courageous, honest, and respectable individual, and a true professional.”
Drone Attacks in Border Regions
Prokofyeva’s death occurred amidst intensified Russian drone attacks targeting Ukrainian territory. Regions including Sumy, bordering Belgorod, and Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Zelensky’s hometown, were struck.
Drone Attack Details
Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih city administration, reported the “most extensive kamikaze drone attack since the war’s onset” on Tuesday night via Telegram.
While no fatalities or injuries were reported, Vilkul indicated substantial damage to civilian infrastructure, including administrative buildings, warehouses, industrial sites, and a fire station. Numerous fires erupted across the city.
“Everyone is alive, thank God. It’s truly a miracle. The destruction is extensive,” Vilkul stated.
Civilian infrastructure in the Sumy, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad regions also endured attacks, according to local officials. No immediate reports of injuries were available.
Overall Drone Activity
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched 117 Shahed and decoy drones overnight Wednesday morning. Defense forces claimed to have destroyed 56 drones and jammed an additional 48.