Former New York Times Reporter Killed in Ukraine Amid Russian Military Attack

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] AFP reported on the 13th (local time) that one former New York Times (NYT) video journalist was killed and two others were injured in an attack by Russian forces in Irpin, northwest outskirts of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

The agency, citing local medical personnel, reported that a vehicle carrying journalists was attacked in Irpin that day, and one American journalist died at the scene. Danilo Shapovalov, a doctor working for the Kyiv Defense Forces, testified to AFP, "The deceased journalist was shot in the neck." Another journalist was also injured and reportedly transported to a hospital.

The deceased journalist was confirmed to be Brent Reno (51), an American journalist and former NYT staff member. This is the first death of a foreign journalist or American since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor at the White House, told CNN, "This is very shocking. It is a reason to make Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, pay a harsh price," and added, "We will discuss with our allies." The possibility of direct U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war can no longer be ruled out.

Reno, a journalist and documentary director, was well known for covering conflict zones such as the Iraq War, Afghanistan War, and Mexico's drug war.

Initially, Kyiv police presented evidence such as a passport photo and an NYT press card with a name, stating that the deceased was an NYT journalist, but the NYT clarified that he was no longer working with them. In a statement that day, NYT confirmed, "We mourn the death of Brent Reno, a talented video journalist who worked for The New York Times for several years. He contributed to The New York Times until 2015 but was not working with us in Ukraine."

Irpin, one of the strategic points heading toward Kyiv, has been the site of intense urban warfare for several days.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that it conducted airstrikes on military facilities and training grounds in western Ukraine, eliminating 180 foreign 'mercenaries.' Prior to this, Ukrainian authorities announced that the International Peace and Security Center (IPSC) in Yavoriv was hit by an airstrike, resulting in 35 deaths and 134 injuries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.