According to authorities, an American journalist has been killed by Russian forces at a checkpoint near Kyiv, Ukraine.
Fox News reported, The Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv Region tweeted photos Sunday purportedly showing a bloodied journalist, his U.S. passport, and his press badge enclosed in a U.S. peacekeeper holder.
The journalist was identified as Brent Renaud and was wearing a New York Times press badge, the Times, however, indicated that Renaud was not on any assignment with their outlet, and had not been in many years.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Brent Renaud’s death. Brent was a talented filmmaker who had contributed to The New York Times over the years,” a New York Times spokesperson said in a statement. “Though he had contributed to The Times in the past, he was not on assignment for any desk at The Times in Ukraine. Early reports that he worked for Times circulated because he was wearing a Times press badge that had been issued for an assignment many years ago.”
Along with the 51-year-old Brent, two other correspondents were also wounded during the attack. A Ukrainian police officer, Alexander Bugai who was on the scene said the wounded were taken to a hospital in the capital.
Many Americans have become worried as to what the consequences of Renaud’s slaying may bear. An innocent U.S. citizen has now been killed in this conflict.