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Tributes flow for 'gifted' US journalist killed while reporting in Ukraine

Tributes are pouring in on social media for a US video journalist who was shot and killed by Russian troops while reporting in Irpin, Ukraine.

Brent Renaud, who previously worked at New York Times, was covering the ongoing war alongside another US journalist Juan Arredondo when they were fired upon while trying to film refugees, with Mr Renaud reportedly "left behind" after being hit in the neck.

Andrey Nebitov, the head of the Kyiv region police, said the 50-year-old journalist "paid with his life" for reporting on the invasion after being targeted by Russian forces.

He posted news of Mr Renaud's death on Facebook, including a photo of his New York Times press badge, US passport and body.

US journalist Brent Renaud was shot and killed by Russian troops while reporting on the war in Irpin, Ukraine. Source: Getty
US journalist Brent Renaud was shot and killed by Russian troops while reporting on the war in Irpin, Ukraine. Source: Getty

"The invaders cynically kill even international media journalists who are trying to show the truth about the atrocities of Russian troops in Ukraine," he wrote, according to Yahoo US.

"Of course, the profession of a journalist is a risk, but US citizen Brent Renaud paid his life for trying to highlight the aggressor’s ingenuity, cruelty and ruthlessness."

Mr Renaud is being remembered as a "gifted and kind" by colleagues.

"His work was infused with humanity. He was killed today outside Kyiv, and the world and journalism are lesser for it," journalist Ann Marie Lipinski wrote on Twitter.

New York Times Deputy Editor Cliff Levy said Mr Renaud wasn't working for the publication when he was killed in Ukraine, despite initial reports that he was.

The US journalist was allegedly wearing a Times press badge which he was given "many years ago."

A statement from the US publication said it was "saddened" to hear of his death, labelling Mr Renaud as a "talented photographer and filmmaker."

"Brent's death is a terrible loss. Brave journalists like Brent take tremendous risks to bear witness and to tell the world about the devastation and suffering caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Mr Levy wrote in the comments.

Second journalist injured in hospital: 'He’s been shot and left behind'

Juan Arredondo, the other US journalist caught up in the attack, was injured and remains in hospital in Kyiv undergoing surgery,

Speaking to a reporter in a video being shared on Twitter, Mr Arredondo detailed the moments that led to the car they were travelling in being shot at.

"We were across one of the first bridges in Irpin, going to film other refugees leaving, and we got into a car", he said in the clip.

"Somebody offered to take us to the other bridge and we crossed a checkpoint, and they start shooting at us. So the driver turned around, and they kept shooting; there’s two of us.

"My friend is Brent Renaud, and he’s been shot and left behind... I saw him being shot in the neck."

It's currently being arranged for Mr Arredondo to be evacuated safely and for Mr Renaud's body to be returned to the US, Ms Lipinski said.

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