Russia commemorates the second anniversary of RIA Novosti journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev’s death, accusing Ukraine of deliberate targeting and blaming the West for complicity through weapon supplies and silence. Moscow also criticizes Western nations for blocking a UN Security Council press statement on UNRCCA, highlighting tensions over multilateral cooperation in Central Asia.
Russia Slams Kiev Over Death of Journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev
On the second anniversary of RIA Novosti frontline journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev’s death, the Russian Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized Ukraine and its Western allies, accusing them of deliberately targeting media workers and enabling continued attacks through silence and complicity. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a strongly worded statement, paid tribute to Zhuravlev while also expressing Moscow’s outrage over what it sees as deliberate war crimes committed by Kiev with Western-supplied weapons.
Rostislav Zhuravlev died exactly two years ago during Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. He was killed by a US-made HIMARS cluster munition in what Zakharova described as a “premeditated, cold-blooded attack” orchestrated by militants of the Kiev regime. Zakharova emphasized that Zhuravlev was a civilian media representative, protected under international law, and deliberately chosen as a target.
Russian sees this incident not as an isolated tragedy but as part of a broader pattern of attacks on Russian journalists. According to Zakharova, this case further highlights what Moscow has long claimed — the “terrorist nature” of the Ukrainian government. She asserted that by providing weapons used in such attacks, Western nations are not only complicit in these crimes but are also guilty of remaining silent in the face of clear violations of international humanitarian norms.
Zakharova also criticized international organizations for their failure to take firm action against these attacks. Instead of decisive measures, she said, such bodies issue hollow statements and turn a blind eye to the reality on the ground. This inaction, she warned, emboldens Ukrainian forces and encourages further violence against unarmed civilians and media workers.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that its law enforcement agencies are conducting thorough investigations into all such attacks. Zakharova made it clear that Russia intends to track down and punish every individual responsible. “No perpetrator will escape justice,” she stated.
Moscow has reiterated its demand that international organizations uphold their mandates and work impartially to ensure the safety of journalists in conflict zones. The Foreign Ministry has vowed to continue pressing for honest and fair action in all multilateral forums, pushing back against what it describes as attempts to whitewash the reality of the ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
Russia Criticizes West Over Disruption of UNRCCA Press Statement
In a related development, the Russian Foreign Ministry also expressed frustration over Western interference in the coordination of a UN Security Council press statement on the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).
During July consultations at the UN Security Council, Russia proposed a balanced draft press statement acknowledging UNRCCA’s role in promoting peace and stability in Central Asia. As the informal sponsor of the Central Asian dossier, Russia sought to highlight the importance of UNRCCA’s cooperation with regional organizations such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
However, according to Zakharova, Western Council members objected to any reference to these regional blocs, despite their formal relevance in UNRCCA’s operational mandate and regular reporting. Due to what Russia describes as a “hostile approach” by Western countries, the Russian delegation was forced to suspend work on the draft.
Despite the setback, Russia reaffirmed its commitment to advocating a depoliticized and professional dialogue between the UN and regional intergovernmental organizations. Moscow believes such cooperation is essential for building a multipolar international system and for maintaining constructive engagement in regions like Central Asia, which face diverse challenges ranging from security to economic integration.
The dual developments – the Zhuravlev commemoration and the disruption of UNRCCA’s press statement – underscore growing tensions between Russia and Western countries not only over Ukraine but also over the balance of influence in multilateral institutions like the UN.Rostislav Zhuravlev
On the second anniversary of RIA Novosti frontline journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev’s death, the Russian Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized Ukraine and its Western allies, accusing them of deliberately targeting media workers and enabling continued attacks through silence and complicity. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a strongly worded statement, paid tribute to Zhuravlev while also expressing Moscow’s outrage over what it sees as deliberate war crimes committed by Kiev with Western-supplied weapons.Rostislav Zhuravlev
Rostislav Zhuravlev died exactly two years ago during Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. He was killed by a US-made HIMARS cluster munition in what Zakharova described as a “premeditated, cold-blooded attack” orchestrated by militants of the Kiev regime. Zakharova emphasized that Zhuravlev was a civilian media representative, protected under international law, and deliberately chosen as a target.Rostislav Zhuravlev