Darina Levada, chief investigator of Vasylivka, police district of Zaporizhzhya Oblast, is not allowed to speak in an interview. But she confirms that yesterday’s attack on TV4’s team is classified as a war crime or a violation of the laws of war.
She has also written out the current section of the law to openly report the criminal classification.
– This confirms what we heard yesterday. It is a suspected war crime and of course I am satisfied that they seem to take this crime against journalists seriously, says Johan Fredriksson.
Prosecutors in Ukraine have launched an investigation.
TV4’s reporter Johan Fredriksson and photographer Daniel Zdolseks had just stepped out of the car when the attack drone struck their tailgate. The attack took place at 11.30 am on Tuesday.
Both escaped without injury, but both the car and the camera equipment were destroyed. Their local producer Alexander Pavlov was slightly injured in the attack, as were two Ukrainian police officers who escorted the TV4 team to the scene.
The Regional Council: “The purpose is clear”
Olena Zhuk, regional councilor of Zaporizhzhya, reacted strongly to the attack.
– I consider it a gross and disgusting attack on the part of the Russians. This was a premeditated attack. The purpose is clear. It should be seen as an attempt to kill press and media employees, the regional council told TV4 Nyheterna on Tuesday.
Even Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was greatly upset by the attack.
– I assume that it will be investigated very carefully what is behind this, the Prime Minister told TV4 Nyheterna when he was contacted by the announcement.