The Russian Foreign Ministry has officially summoned Italian Ambassador to Moscow Cecilia Piccioni to present a “strong protest” following the reporting by Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini in the town of Sudzha, now in Ukrainian hands as part of the country's advance. Kursk region. The Russian News Agency writes. Taxciting a ministry note that highlights how the Rai crew “illegally entered the territory of the Russian Federation to cover the criminal terrorist attack carried out by Ukrainian militants in the Kursk region.” Having “grossly violated Russian laws and elementary rules of journalistic ethics,” the “Italian correspondents used their presence on the territory of our country to hide their support for propaganda in favor of the crimes of the Kiev regime,” reads the protest statement, in which the ministry recalls that “the acts committed by Italian citizens fall under the Russian Criminal Code. The competent Russian authorities are taking all necessary measures to determine the circumstances surrounding the crime committed by RAI staff with a view to their legal assessment and the adoption of appropriate measures. The Italian ambassador responded that “RAI and in particular the journalistic editorial offices plan their activities in a completely autonomous and independent manner,” and that “the diplomatic network has the task of monitoring and protecting Italian citizens in all situations.”
Rai sent to Kursk, accused of “illegal crossing of state borders”
This is the first official step after the rumors of the last few hours from the Telegram channel Baza, according to which the Russian Ministry of the Interior is considering initiating criminal proceedings against the Italian journalists who reported in the Kursk region. Battistini and Traini would risk being prosecuted for “illegal crossing of the state border, Article 322 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.” The service was broadcast by Tg1.
We entered Sutzha, Kursk region, Russia, with the advancing Ukrainian army.
Civilian houses intact. The noise of drones
With Simone Traini @SimoTraini
And @KyrylTiulieniev https://t.co/VAaNfDzpJa– Stefania Battistini (@StefaniaBattis4) August 14, 2024
However, on her X account, Battistini posted some particular messages. In addition to recalling the names of colleagues killed since the beginning of the conflict, the Rai correspondent cited Article 79 of the Geneva Convention according to which “journalists in war zones must be treated as civilians and protected as such, provided that they do not take part in hostilities.” The journalist then shared the support of her colleague Andrea Vianello who wrote: “Go Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini. Alongside courageous and free journalism.”
Ukrainian advance at Kursk, Tg1 report – Video
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