Russian state media journalist killed in Crimea

A journalist from a Russian state media was killed in a 2014 shooting accident at a military training ground in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia, its editorial staff announced.

Svetlana Babeva, head of the Crimean branch of the media agency Rossiya Sekotnia, “died at a military training ground in Crimea where firing exercises were carried out,” media outlets quoted by Russian news agencies said on Friday. details.

Ms Babaïeva worked for many years for this public conglomerate, including the Ria Novosti press agency or Sputnik Group, with positions in London or the US.

Dmitry Kiselyov, who leads the group and is considered one of the country’s leading propagandists, praised the memory of a warm person who “strongly supported Russia” and “wanted to support our heroes” in Ukraine.

He added that Svetlana Babeva is “a high-level professional, with solid journalistic experience.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed him as a “multi-talented journalist” who was once part of the presidential entourage.

“We worked together for many years,” Mr Peskov told Russian media.

Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russian diplomacy, or the authorities of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, also praised the memory of the journalist on social networks.

Born in 1972, Svetlana Babeva began working at Rossiya Sekotnia soon after a controversial restructuring that saw the Russian state tighten its grip on the conglomerate. Since 2019, he has been his correspondent in the city of Simferopol on the Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea, which today serves as a rear base for its offensive in Ukraine.