James Hill, a Minnesota native, remained in Chernihiv (a northeastern Ukrainian city) to care for his partner Irina. He was being treated at a local hospital with multiple sclerosis after the war broke out.
A Ukrainian adviser identified Hill as the victim of a Russian attack that struck people in Chernihiv on Thursday morning. Conflicting reports differ on whether civilians were struck by artillery or gun fire. This city is one of the largest in Eastern and Southern Ukraine and has been devastated by Russian shelling. However, Vladimir Putin’s ground forces are still hampered by logistical issues and fierce Ukrainian resistance.
Hill’s sister Katya in Pennsylvania told CBS Pittsburgh her brother lived in Kyiv but had traveled to Chernihiv to receive MS treatment for his partner.
Katya said that despite my warnings about dangers, he didn’t believe that the world would allow this to happen. She explained that her parents taught them to see the goodness in people’s hearts and that that was how he lived.
She spoke to CBS News overnight, saying that she could hear explosions behind her brother’s last conversation.
He was out every day looking for food. The hospital lost power. The hospital also lost gas. She said that there was no heat. “My brother was a peacemaker and a giver. He believed everyone should love one another.”
Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary-of-State, confirmed that an American was killed in Ukraine earlier Thursday. However, he did not provide any further details. The death occurred on March 17, according to a spokesperson for the State Department. He also offered his sincere condolences to the family.
Hill, who left behind two children, is the second American citizen to be killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded. The 50-year-old filmmaker Brent Renaud was killed by Russian troops as he and his colleagues were on their way to document refugees in Irpin. One of his associates was also injured by the attack.
Pierre Zakrzewski, a Fox News veteran video journalist, and Oleksandra “Sasha,” Kuvshynova , his local producer were both killed two days later. when their vehicle was “intensely shot” near Kyiv. Zakrzewski was an European citizen who was based in London to report on Fox’s war in Ukraine. Kuvshynova, a native Ukrainian, was also part of foreign news crews reporting on the conflict in their country.
CBS Pittsburgh’s Katya Hill said that her brother was updating her daily since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2017. However, she hadn’t spoken with him in a few days. She stated that Hill’s family was informed of his death by the U.S. Embassy, Ukraine.
“After he stated that he didn’t have a way to charge his phone, I realized it was a matter if we will hear that he is safe in Poland or if we will get the news we don’t want. Katya Hill stated.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota tweeted, “A good man gone too soon”, and offered her “deepest sympathy” to Hill’s loved ones.
Pierre Zakrzewski, a Fox News veteran video journalist, and Oleksandra “Sasha,” Kuvshynova , his local producer were both killed two days later. when their vehicle was “intensely shot” near Kyiv. Zakrzewski was an European citizen who was based in London to report on Fox’s war in Ukraine. Kuvshynova, a native Ukrainian, was also part of foreign news crews reporting on the conflict in their country.
CBS Pittsburgh’s Katya Hill said that her brother was updating her daily since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2017. However, she hadn’t spoken with him in a few days. She stated that Hill’s family was informed of his death by the U.S. Embassy, Ukraine.
“After he stated that he didn’t have a way to charge his phone, I realized it was a matter if we will hear that he is safe in Poland or if we will get the news we don’t want. Katya Hill stated.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota tweeted, “A good man gone too soon,” and offered her “deepest sympathy” to Hill’s loved ones.