Global247News Reporters Survive Near Miss as Rocket Hits Sumy, Ukraine
Three Global247News reporters narrowly escaped injury yesterday afternoon as a rocket struck the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. The reporters, who were taking a brief respite from their coverage of the ongoing conflict, were caught in the vicinity of the attack, which targeted a residential area in the city’s military zone.
The rocket, which bypassed Ukraine’s air defence systems, slammed into homes in the military district of Sumy, causing significant damage and leaving residents in shock. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, though several individuals sustained injuries.
The Global247News team, consisting of seasoned journalists who have been covering the Ukraine conflict for several months, described the moment as harrowing.
"We were just a few blocks away, enjoying a rare moment of downtime when we heard the explosion," said one of the reporters. "The ground shook, and the sound was deafening. We knew instantly that something terrible had happened."
The rocket strike is part of a broader escalation in hostilities in the region, with Sumy frequently targeted due to its proximity to the Russian border. Ukrainian military sources confirmed that the rocket was a part of a wave of attacks launched by Russian forces, with the missile evading the country’s defence systems.
The reporters quickly sprang into action, documenting the aftermath of the strike., with homes reduced to rubble and emergency services rushing to aid those affected. "The scene was chaotic," one reporter noted. "People were crying, looking for their loved ones, and trying to comprehend what had just happened."
Local authorities in Sumy condemned the attack, reiterating the ongoing threat posed by the conflict and the challenges faced in protecting civilian areas from such strikes. "This is a stark reminder of the dangers that the people of Ukraine continue to face daily," said a spokesperson for the Sumy regional administration. "Despite the efforts of our air defence systems, some rockets still manage to get through, putting lives at risk." he told Global247news.
We had a rocket strike get through was loud alor of when up people. pic.twitter.com/57plpzpgH3
— Steve Day (@Daya66) August 12, 2024
The Global247News team has expressed gratitude for their safety but remains committed to bringing accurate and timely reporting from the frontlines. "We’re shaken, but this only strengthens our resolve to continue reporting the truth," one of the journalists said. "The world needs to see what’s happening here."
As the conflict in Ukraine rages on, the situation in Sumy and other frontline cities remains precarious. The strike on Sumy is a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by civilians and journalists alike in this war-torn region.
Global247News will continue to provide coverage from Ukraine, bringing stories from the ground to the global audience, despite the ever-present risks.