Ukraine Invasion: CNN News Is Gathering on Multiple Fronts as Russia Strikes
variety.comPatrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefCNN has switched into full-battle mode to cover the fast-moving implications of the fighting in Ukraine, the first large-scale invasive war in Europe in more than 70 years.After months of preparation, the invasion by Russian forces began before dawn, following a TV address from Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
It was followed just minutes later by explosions in several towns across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv (aka Kiev).The WarnerMedia-owned CNN had similarly readied its own troops at points inside Ukraine and across the border in Russia, from where the invading forces sprang.“We’ve had a ‘dynamic live experience,’ what we would previously have called a live blog, operating for a few days already, and will of course keep up the digital news operations.
But the live TV coverage is now clearly the priority,” a CNN spokesman told Variety. “CNN and CNN International will be effectively combined at times and taking the same pictures.” Within Ukraine itself, the reporting teams are fronted by Matthew Chance in Kyiv, Clarissa Ward and Sam Kiley in Kharkiv, Michael Holmes and Jim Sciutto in Lviv, and Nick Paton Walsh in Odessa.
Across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region is Fred Pleitgen.With their camera crews, these reporters have been monitoring the movement of military forces on the ground and bear witness to bombings and explosions.Matthew Chance has dug in near the Antonov military airbase near Kyiv that is reportedly under attack. “Matthew and his team must be very nimble,” said the spokesman.
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