A man from Wales who was covering the Ukraine war for a news agency has tragically died. As Reuters confirmed, he died in a Russian missile attack on a hotel.
Ryan Evans, 38, was part of the team of reporters staying at the Sapphire hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, which was hit by a strike on Saturday. He worked for Reuters as a security consultant.
Reuters said it was “devastated” by Mr Evans' death and reported that two of its journalists were also injured in the strike. The former British soldier from Wrexham had worked for the news agency since 2022. He was a former pupil of Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, North Wales Live reports.
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Headteacher Catrin Pritchard sent the school's “sincere condolences” to his family and friends. Several members of staff remembered him fondly, she told BBC Cymru Fyw, adding that he was extremely personable and had a “big heart”. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news
A statement seen by Reuters said: “We are urgently seeking further information about the attack, including in cooperation with the authorities in Kramatorsk, and we are supporting our colleagues and their families. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to Ryan's family and loved ones.
“Ryan helped so many of our journalists cover events around the world. We will miss him terribly.” The news agency added that “two of our journalists are in hospital, one is being treated for serious injuries.”
Three other colleagues were found and are safe, it said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the hotel had been destroyed by a “Russian Iskander missile.”
“All day today in Kramatorsk they were clearing away the rubble after a Russian missile attack,” he said. “An ordinary city hotel was destroyed. My condolences to the family and friends. This is the daily Russian terror that continues because Russia still has the means to continue.” Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news from Wales straight to your inbox
