Rockets hit hotel: ZDF team narrowly survives Russian attack in Kharkiv

Rockets hit hotel
ZDF team narrowly survives Russian attack in Kharkiv

December 31, 2023, 3:34 p.m

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In recent days, the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has repeatedly been the target of Russian attacks. Several ZDF employees are injured in a rocket attack on a hotel in the city center. Miraculously, all seven team members survived, the broadcaster said in a statement.

Two employees of a ZDF team were injured in a Russian rocket attack on a journalists’ hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday. The Ukrainian translator was hit by debris and suffered serious injuries, ZDF announced this Sunday. A security guard escaped with minor injuries. According to ZDF, they were met in the “Kharkiv Palace” hotel, which is mainly used by journalists because it has a bunker.

The seven-person team led by ZDF reporter Alica Jung was in the hotel when the rocket hit the building, the Mainz broadcaster explained. ZDF editor-in-chief Bettina Schausten spoke of a “further attack by Russia on the free press.” ZDF will “continue to report on the war against the Ukrainian civilian population.” ZDF reporter Alica Jung explained: “It turns out that there is no longer a safe place in Ukraine.”

Images from an AFP photographer show extensive damage to the hotel, which is located on a street in downtown Kharkiv. An impact crater tore the facade of the high-rise building across several floors. Many windows were broken, the lobby was damaged, and twisted pieces of metal were scattered on the street in front of the building.

Kharkiv has repeatedly been the target of Russian attacks in recent days – including this Sunday: regional governor Oleg Sinegubow spoke of 28 injured civilians. Residential buildings, offices and cafes were hit last night, said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov: “On the eve of New Year, the Russians want to intimidate our city, but we are not afraid.”