Liberov's photographers worked in the "red zone" of Kherson without a press officer

Photographers Konstantin and Vlada Liberov were filming the aftermath of the Russian shelling at the Kherson railway station, accompanied by patrol police officers, not a specialized press officer.

At the request of Detector Media, the Kherson Regional Patrol Police Department officially confirmed that their specialized inspector did not participate in the escort of the media at the facility.

<b>Details of the incident and police position</b>

Kostyantyn Kelbas , senior inspector of the press service of the regional patrol police, said that he was not personally at the shooting site and did not approve the work of photographers in the station area. According to him, the patrol police provided assistance to the media, but this does not replace the mandatory escort by a representative of the press service, who is responsible for the safety and compliance with the rules of journalists' work during martial law.

Konstantin Liberov himself confirmed that they worked with the patrol police crew. He explained this by the need to promptly record the consequences of the shelling of a strategic infrastructure facility that is part of the "red zone."

<b>Response to criticism and the ethical aspect</b>

The publication of the photographs showing a woman who lost her son in the shelling sparked a debate among the local media community and journalists of the Vgoru media outlet. Critics point out that such filming at a time of acute grief may violate ethical norms, and the absence of a press officer calls into question the legality of being in the area.

In a comment to Detector Media, Liberova denied the allegations of unethical behavior. She emphasized that there was no ban on filming from the victim's mother, and the police at the scene did not comment on their presence.

<b>Rules for working in the "red zone"</b>

According to the accreditation rules of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the work of the media in the "red zone" is strictly limited. Journalists can only be there if they are accompanied by an accredited press officer or other authorized person from the Defense Forces or the Ministry of Internal Affairs who has the appropriate permission to coordinate media work.

Kherson remains one of the most dangerous areas, with specific restrictions on filming infrastructure facilities due to the threat of repeated shelling. The case of the Liberovs raised the question of equal access to the scene for local and well-known media outlets from the capital.

Олеся Ланцман