Alaraby TV calls on Moscow to guarantee journalists' safety as crew in Ukraine come under direct Russian fire

An Alaraby TV reporter and a cameraman came under direct Russian fire north of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Saturday, as an increasing number of journalists are reporting similar incidents of being hit by Russian forces despite in many cases wearing clear press identification markings.

Reporter Adnan Can and cameraman Habib Demirci came under fire from Russian forces in the Arbin area, north of the capital, Kyiv, according to Alaraby TV. The New Arab and Alaraby TV are part of the same media network, Fadaat Media.

Can and Demirci said they were now stuck in an area between the Ukrainian forces and the Russian forces, where violent clashes are taking place.

In a phone call with Alaraby TV in London, Can said that Russian forces paid little attention to the white flag his crew raised and continued shooting in their direction in the Arbin area.

He said they were able to shelter in the house of a Ukrainian family, who offered to host them.

A statement from Alaraby TV called on the Russian and Ukrainian forces to ensure the safety of its crew and held them responsible for their safety, stressing they are in Ukraine to "carry out their journalistic work in total professionalism".

Alaraby TV also urged iternational press organizations to intervene to ensure the safety of its stranded team in the Arbin region, north of Kyiv.

Russia launched a full-scale and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, deploying tens of thousands of troops in and around the country. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed in indiscriminate Russian shelling. 

It included bloody assaults on several major Ukrainian city, including Kyiv, with rockets and artillery.