Tragic news.
An American journalist and filmmaker has been shot dead by Russian troops in Ukraine on Sunday (13 March).
Brent Renaud, who had previously worked with the New York Times, was shot in Irpin, outside of Kyiv.
In a video posted online, Renaud’s colleague gave an eyewitness account while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kyiv.
https://twitter.com/annalisacamilli/status/1502978846500573185?s=20&t=gNSZxIF4LUH2GTM07_BlRQ
“We crossed the first bridge in Irpin going to film other refugees leaving,” said Renaud’s colleague, Wayne.
“We got into a car, somebody offered to bring us to the other bridge, and we crossed the checkpoint and they started shooting at us.
“The driver turned around, and they kept shooting at two of us, my friend is Brent Renaud, and he’s been shot and left behind.
“I saw him being shot in the neck and we got split, and I got pulled away,” he added.
The New York Times issued a statement on behalf of the publication in response to the news of Renaud’s passing.
Response from a New York Times spokesperson in regard to the death of Brent Renaud in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/K11eW685yr
— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR) March 13, 2022
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Brent Renaud’s death,” a spokesperson said.
“Brent was a talented photographer and filmmaker who had contributed to The New York Times over the years.”
The statement went on to clarify that although Renaud had worked with the New York Times as recently as 2015, he was not on assignment with them to cover the conflict in Ukraine.
Renaud’s body was found with a press pass identifying himself as a part of the New York Times.
A 51-year-old New York Times correspondent Brent Renaud was shot dead in Irpen today. Another journalist was injured. Now they are trying to take the victim out of the combat zone. pic.twitter.com/7FtazzW819
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 13, 2022
“Brent Renaud paid with his life for trying to expose the insidiousness, cruelty and ruthlessness of the aggressor,” said Anton Gerashchenko, an official advisor at the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Renaud won a Peabody award along with his brother Craig Renaud for their documentary “Last Chance High”, which was produced by Vice News.
Clip via VICE News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday (12 March) that slight progress had been made in finding a resolution to the conflict.
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