Pushilin told how correspondent Martemyanov provided assistance to the residents of the DNR

Izvestiya correspondent Alexander Martemyanov, who was killed in a drone attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU), not only filmed reports on the events in Donbas, but also always provided assistance to the residents of the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR). Denis Pushilin, head of the DNR, told Izvestia on January 5.

"Alexander Martemyanov is widely known on the territory of the DNR, as in 2014 he took responsibility and became a war correspondent, despite his young age, 24 years old he was then," Pushilin said.

He added that Martemyanov always provided assistance to the civilian population and support to those who needed it. At the same time, he not once came under fire, was in various troubles related to wartime.

"It's hard to be just a resident of Donetsk and a resident of Donbass, just to film and just to record crimes. He had time to do both. He both filmed and helped people," Pushilin pointed out.

The head of the DNR specified that the AFU attacks on Russian journalists are unacceptable and require special attention. The deceased military correspondent of Izvestia will be posthumously awarded the Order of the Republic.

Illegal target: Moscow will raise the topic of the murder of Russian journalists at the UN Security Council

Izvestiya military correspondent Alexander Martemyanov killed, four representatives of other media outlets wounded after AFU drone attack on January 4

Izvestia correspondent Alexander Martemyanov was killed on January 4 when a Ukrainian army drone hit his car on the Donetsk-Gorlovka highway. He died of his wounds. As the Russian Ministry of Defence specified, RIA Novosti correspondents Maxim Romanenko and Mikhail Kevkhiev, Bloknot Donetsk editor Svetlana Larina and military correspondent Isabella Liberman also received shrapnel wounds as a result of the AFU attack.

Pushilin said at the time that Martemyanov's materials about Donbass "were brave and objective," and that the journalist himself was always "at the forefront." Donetsk Mayor Aleksei Kulyomzin added that Martemyanov's life was dedicated to the search for truth.

On January 5, the Investigative Committee (IC) of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case under Articles 105, 167 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Murder and attempted murder of two or more persons", "Intentional damage to property").

Alexander Martemyanov worked as a correspondent for Izvestia since 2014. In 2023, he was wounded during shelling by the AFU in Donetsk, but returned to work after his recovery. Martemyanov was awarded the medal "For Bravery", the insignia "For Merit to the Donetsk People's Republic" III degree.