It might be the most striking photo of the war so far in Ukraine. A pregnant woman, badly injured and her face a ghostly white, being carried on a stretcher outside of a maternity hospital that had been bombed by Russian forces.
It was that photo, captured by Evgeniy Maloletka for The Associated Press, that showed not only the gruesome realities of war, but that Russia would stop at nothing in its attack of Ukraine. It proved that even a maternity hospital could be a target of troops sent into Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Now we have heartbreaking news. The Associated Press’ Mstyslav Chernov reports that the woman in that agonizing photo and her baby have died.
AP journalists had video and photos outside the hospital after the attack. Chernov wrote, “It was among the most brutal moments so far in Russia’s now 19-day-old war in Ukraine. The woman was taken to another hospital, closer to the front line, where doctors tried to save her. Realizing she was losing her baby, medics said, she had cried out to them, ‘Kill me now!’”
According to a doctor on scene, the woman’s pelvis had been crushed and her hip had been detached. After the woman’s heart stopped, hospital personnel tried to resuscitate her for more than 30 minutes, but to no avail. The doctor said the baby was born via cesarean section but showed “no signs of life.”
The woman’s name has not been revealed.
Leaders of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF put out a joint statement that said, “To attack the most vulnerable — babies, children, pregnant women, and those already suffering from illness and disease, and health workers risking their own lives to save lives — is an act of unconscionable cruelty.”
The statement went on to say that 4,300 births have occurred in Ukraine since the start of the war and 80,000 Ukrainian women are expected to give birth in the next three months.
“The health care system in Ukraine is clearly under significant strain, and its collapse would be a catastrophe,” the statement said. “Every effort must be made to prevent this from happening. International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld, and the protection of civilians must be our top priority.”
Fox News journalist injured
One day after a journalist was killed and another injured, Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall was injured Monday while working outside of Kyiv. Early details about his injuries were scarce, but on the air Monday, Fox News’ John Roberts said Hall was hospitalized.
In a message to staff, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott gave an update on Hall and added, “The safety of our entire team of journalists in Ukraine and the surrounding regions is our top priority and of the utmost importance. This is a stark reminder for all journalists who are putting their lives on the line every day to deliver the news from the war zone.”
Scott added, “Please keep Ben and his family in your prayers.”
The British-born Hall is a veteran war correspondent and has filed stories in the past for organizations such as The New York Times, the Sunday Times and the BBC. He joined Fox News in 2015 and is the network’s State Department correspondent based in Washington, D.C. He has been reporting from Ukraine since Feb. 26. According to The New York Times’ Michael M. Grynbaum, Hall is one of five Fox News correspondents in Ukraine covering the war.
In a statement, Shaun Tandon — president of the State Department Correspondents’ Association — said, “We are horrified to learn that our fellow correspondent Benjamin Hall was injured as he covered the Ukraine war. We know Ben for his warmth, good humor and utmost professionalism. We wish Ben a quick recovery and call for utmost efforts to protect journalists who are providing an invaluable service through their coverage in Ukraine.”
On Sunday, American filmmaker, journalist and documentarian Brent Renaud was shot by Russian forces and killed while working just outside of Kyiv. Renaud was working for Time Studios on a project focused on the global refugee crisis. His reporting partner, American journalist Juan Arredondo, also was shot, but Arredondo survived.
Nieman Lab’s Joshua Benton has an excellent piece: “Celebrating the life and work of Brent Renaud, the filmmaker and Nieman Fellow killed in Ukraine.”
Strong words
CBS News has named Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as a new foreign policy and national security contributor. McMaster, who served as national security adviser in the Trump administration, said on Monday’s “CBS Mornings” that the U.S. should impose economic sanctions on China if China gives military aid and weapons to Russia, adding, “I think this ought to be hung around China’s neck.”
This says a lot
