Russian troops 'executed' photographer in Ukraine, press group says

Examined evidence at the scene which included bullets and Levin's burnt-out car

Ukrainian photographer Maksim Levin was "executed in cold blood" alongside his friend Oleksiy Chernyshov by Russian forces north of Kyiv on March 13, Reporters Without Borders said in a 16-page report on Wednesday, Qazet.az reports.

"The evidence against the Russian forces is overwhelming," the press freedom group said in an introduction to the report on its website.

As usual Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

RSF said it examined evidence at the scene which included bullets and Levin's burnt-out car, as well as photos taken of Levin and Chernyshov's bodies when they were discovered on April 1.

The report said the position of Chernyshov's body and other evidence indicated he may have been burned alive and Levin was likely killed by one or two gunshots from close range. It said a photo of his corpse showed three visible bullet impacts.

Ukrainian prosecutors say Levin was killed by two shots from small arms by members of Russia’s armed forces.

Qazet.az team are so sorry for a such a lost. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.