Statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the death of a Russian journalist in Ukraine

Another terrible tragedy took place near Lugansk on the 17 June. VGTRK correspondent Igor Kornelyuk died as a result of a mortar attack by Ukrainian forces present where there were no military sites. His colleague, sound engineer Anton Voloshin, has gone missing.

We are mourning his loss and extend our deepest condolences to friends and family of Igor Kornelyuk.

The death of this Russian journalist convincingly demonstrates, again, the criminal nature of the forces responsible for carrying out the punitive operation in the East of Ukraine, in which civilians continue to die.

We are proud of all the journalists, who bravely bring the truth about the true events in Ukraine under machine-gunfire, mortar attacks and artillery or aviation strikes. The Kiev authorities and different military groups responsible for organising true terror against Russian journalists are afraid of this truth.

We request from the Ukrainian authorities to conduct an objective investigation of this tragedy, and to punish those who are guilty.

We expect that global mass media will decisively and unconditionally condemn another crime by Ukrainian forces.

17 June 2014