Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih damages public broadcaster's studio

A Russian airstrike targeted the central Ukrainian industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, the birthplace of President Volodymyr Zelensky, damaging the local studio of Ukraine's national public broadcaster Suspilne. The attack struck during working hours, though staff were able to evacuate before the strike hit the building.

Attack on media infrastructure

The targeting of a public broadcaster's studio is part of a broader Russian campaign to destroy Ukraine's media infrastructure and suppress independent reporting from conflict zones. Suspilne serves as Ukraine's primary public television and radio service, providing news coverage across the country. Damaging regional studios disrupts local news production and the broadcaster's ability to serve communities near the front lines.

Kryvyi Rih has been a frequent target of Russian attacks due to its significance as a major industrial center and its symbolic importance as Zelensky's hometown.

Ukrainian media under sustained attack

Ukrainian media outlets, including public broadcasters, commercial television channels, and independent online news sites, have been targeted by Russian strikes throughout the war. Several journalists have been killed while reporting from conflict areas. Ukraine's media landscape has been significantly disrupted, though both state and independent outlets have continued operating, often relocating staff and equipment to safer locations.