26 February 2022 | CPJ
Ukrainian photojournalist Ihor Hudenko killed in Kharkiv
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Ihor Hudenko, a freelance photojournalist and documentarian, died on February 26, 2022, in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, according to his colleague, journalist Oleg Peregon. Ukrainian Kharkiv-focused news site VGorode also reported on the death, citing a Facebook post by Svetlana Shkurat, who identified herself as Hudenko's friend.
On February 24, shortly after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hudenko posted original photos and video of abandoned Russian tanks on his personal Facebook page. On February 26, Hudenko took his camera and went on his bike to film the situation near the frontline when friends and colleagues lost contact with the journalist and reported him missing, as CPJ documented.
Initial efforts to find Hudenko included an appeal to Kharkiv law enforcement, but were fruitless, Peregon told CPJ. On May 20, they learned from the emergency medical service that Hudenko's body was found on February 26, hours after his death, on Kharkiv's Natalia Uzhviy street, Peregon said. He also said paramedics told him Hudenko had his press card, ID, keys, wallet with 849 hryvnias ($28.70), and bike. His camera and phone were missing. Peregon told CPJ it was unlikely that Hudenko was killed for his equipment, as it would have taken someone with expertise to understand the value.
CPJ has not been able to establish the cause of Hudenko's death. Peregon said the authorities could only reveal information about the cause of death to family members.
Read the original article here: https://cpj.org/data/people/ihor-hudenko/
