An RT crew reporting from southern Lebanon was hit by an Israeli strike on Thursday, the Russian state-controlled outlet reported, publishing footage of the incident.
The footage shows RT correspondent Steve Sweeney just before the sound of an incoming strike can be heard. Sweeney is seen diving forward as a blast strikes behind him
RT said that both Sweeney and cameraman Ali Rida were wounded in the incident.
“The Israeli enemy targeted us deliberately at Qasmiyeh Bridge, while we were wearing official [press] uniforms,” Rida said in a video after the incident.
In response to a request for comment from The Jerusalem Post, the IDF said it was looking into the matter and would provide a response.
The military subsequently pointed to an “urgent” evacuation order posted to X/Twitter by IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee, wherein Adraee warned of imminent strikes in the vicinity due to Hezbollah activity.
“For your safety, you must continue moving to the area north of the Zahrani River and refrain from any movement southward that may put your lives at risk,” Adraee stated.
In the latter statement, the IDF acknowledged the video in which Sweeney and Rida were seen being struck and said that it had issued an “explicit warning” and that it targeted the area after “sufficient time had passed.”
“The IDF calls on the residents of Lebanon to heed the warnings published on various platforms,” the military stated. “The IDF does not target civilians or journalists and operates in accordance with international law.”
Following the incident in which Sweeney and Rida were injured, RT noted that both were conscious and at a local hospital receiving medical attention.
Notably, RT is Kremlin-controlled and has frequently been accused of sharing false information on its various channels.
Russian officials accuse IDF of deliberately targeting RT crew
A spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the incident via the ministry's telegram account, accusing the IDF of deliberately attacking the journalists.
"A strike on the location where RT journalists were reporting in Lebanon cannot be considered accidental; Russia expects a response from international organizations," said the spokesperson. "We call on UNESCO Director-General HE El-Anani, in accordance with the relevant decisions of the General Conference and the Executive Council on the Safety of Journalists, to condemn this crime."
The Russian embassy in Lebanon also commented on the strike, echoing the Foreign Ministry's statement.
"It is difficult to believe that the incident was an accident," the embassy stated. "Attacks on media workers on editorial assignments are unacceptable. Journalists are protected by international law and should not be targeted in armed conflicts. This incident undoubtedly deserves categorical condemnation and an appropriate investigation.
"We believe the international community and international organizations must respond appropriately to today's incident," the embassy's statement concluded.