Sky News correspondent Stuart Ramsay wounded and cameraman shot in violent ambush in Russia's war in Ukraine.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Sky News (DStv 402) chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay was wounded and the cameraman Richie Mockler shot twice during a violent ambush by Russian soldiers near Kyiv in Russia's ongoing invasion and war in Ukraine.

Sky News published the shocking and harrowing account of Stuart Ramsay and the TV news crew online, saying that the "experience illustrates the scale of the mayhem and violence as Russia's invasion enters a new and deadlier phase".

Writing in his first-hand account, Stuart Ramsay says "we were being ambushed by a saboteur Russian reconnaissance squad".

"It was professional, the rounds kept smashing into the car - they didn't miss."

"Producer Martin Vowles, who was driving, got out of the car first, quickly followed by Andrii Lytvynenko, our local producer, leaving me, Richie, and my producer Dominique Van Heerden inside, taking cover in the footwells and across the backseat."

"We knew we had to get out to survive, but the incoming fire was intense."

"Dominique pushed open her door a little further and slipped to the ground, crawling towards a motorway barrier and then dived down a 40-foot embankment, rolling to the bottom."

"Richie was shouting to me, but I can't really remember much.

I do recall wondering if my death was going to be painful," Stuart Ramsay wrote.

"Then I was hit in the lower back. "I've been hit!" I shouted. But what amazed me was that it didn't hurt that bad. It was more like being punched, really."

"It was strange, but I felt very calm. I managed to put my helmet on, and was about to attempt my escape, when I stopped and reached back into a shelf in the door and retrieved my phones and my press card, unbelievably."

"Richie says I then got out of the car and stood up, before jogging to the edge of the embankment and then started running. I lost my balance and fell to the bottom, landing like a sack of potatoes, cutting my face. My armour and helmet almost certainly saved me."

"But Richie was still inside the car. The rounds were ploughing into the car every time he moved. He was actually being protected by the engine block - he knew that."

"He called out, and we shouted at him to come. But then silence. It seemed like an eternity before he emerged over the barrier and jumped down towards us, followed by a hail of gunfire."

"At the bottom, we regrouped. The five of us were alive. We couldn't believe it. We were in shock, no doubt about it. But elated to be alive. Martin said to me, it's a miracle any of us got out, let alone all five of us."

"Still in the firing line, we headed away from the car, using a concrete wall for cover."

You can read the rest and full version of Stuart Ramsay's story on the Sky News website.

CNN International strengthens its Moscow bureau, appoints Nathan Hodges as CNN Moscow bureau chief, moves Fred Pleitgen to Moscow.

As Russia grows as a global news focal point - no less because of the "Russia collusion" investigations in the United States - CNN International (DStv 401) is strengthening its Moscow bureau with the appointment of Nathan Hodge as CNN Moscow bureau chief and moving international correspondent Fred Pleitgen there as well.

Nathan Hodge is joining Turner Broadcasting's CNN International from The Wall Street Journal as CNN Moscow bureau chief.

Nathan Hodge has been The Wall Street Journal's bureau chief in Moscow from 2015 until now.

The CNN senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen is also relocating to Moscow from CNN's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in London.

The CNN senior international correspondent Matthew Chance, who has covered several Russia stories for CNN International for over a decade will remain in Moscow.

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of Russia internationally, whether that pertains to its own upcoming elections, its alleged role in the recent US elections, or issues relating to Ukraine, Europe, China, Iran, and Syria,” says Deborah Rayner, CNN's senior vice president of international newsgathering, TV and digital in a statement.

“Vladimir Putin is a uniquely compelling figure, and his agenda at home and abroad is fascinating for audiences worldwide. No-one is better placed to tell those stories than Matthew and Fred, and we could not wish for a better person to head up our Moscow operation than Nathan.”

Nathan Hodge says “The fact that CNN is doubling down on its commitment to Russia was a big factor in me taking on this role.”

 “I know Fred personally from working alongside him in Syria, and I have followed Matthew’s career for a long time; both are exceptional journalists, and the whole team at the Moscow bureau is formidable.”

“This is a crucial year for Russia, and the passion I have seen for the story at CNN makes me very excited about what’s ahead.”

Homer Simpson banned in Russia as episode of The Simpsons featuring Pokemon Go is deemed too controversial.

Homer Simpson has been banned in Russia with an upcoming episode of the satirical animation show The Simpsons that includes Pokemon Go won't be shown in Russia in which Homer plays a video game inside a church.

The Simpsons episode "Looking for Mr. Goodbart" has been banned after Russia's Orthodox Church apparently complained, and called the show "Hollywood propaganda".

The TV channel 2x2 said it will not show the episode because it could "compromise the network and cause controversy".

In the episode of The Simpsons Homer Simpson plays a game named Peekimon Get based on Pokemon Go, and enters a church looking for Peekimons.

A few months ago in September 2016, the Russian blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky walked in a church in St. Petersburg in Russia whilst playing Pokemon Go, and was arrested. He is now facing a possible jail sentence of between three and five years.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Russian archpriest Andrei Novikov said The Simpsons is "compromising Russian society" and that he wants Russia to show "more control over media products".