RT correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameraman, Ali Rida, sustained injuries from an Israeli airstrike while they were on location in southern Lebanon.
The strike occurred as an Israeli aircraft targeted their filming spot near Al-Qasmiya Bridge, close to a military base. Rida alleged that Israeli forces intentionally struck their position despite the crew wearing identifiable press credentials.
Footage captured by Rida depicts the moment the missile struck, just meters behind Sweeney as he reported live. The video clearly shows debris filling the frame, prompting Sweeney to take cover.
Both journalists were taken to a local hospital for treatment, remaining conscious throughout the ordeal. Rida later shared additional footage of doctors removing shrapnel from Sweeney’s arm.
In another clip, Rida humorously mentioned that “it turns out that when a missile is flying at you, you can hear it,” indicating their eventual well-being.
RT noted this incident is not isolated, mentioning previous injuries to its journalists covering significant conflicts, including Ukraine. They highlighted that correspondents Igor Zhdanov and Roman Kosarev were injured in strikes while embedded with frontline troops.
The network also commemorated Khaled Alkhateb, a stringer who was killed in 2017 while reporting on a Syrian offensive against ISIS, establishing awards in his memory to honor journalism from conflict zones.
❗️ Moment Israel DIRECTLY HITS RT crew https://t.co/cxNTq2htyY pic.twitter.com/IWLmKGHwSj
— RT (@RT_com) March 19, 2026
This latest attack coincides with Israel ramping up what it calls “limited and targeted” operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a response to prior strikes by the group following Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
On Wednesday, Israel issued a statement declaring it would target bridges in southern Lebanon, aiming at infrastructure to hinder Hezbollah from deploying reinforcements and arms. They also established a military zone south of the Zahrani River, warning that vehicles in the area could be targeted.
Substantial damage has been reported, with media sources stating at least three critical bridges over the Litani have been destroyed, impacting connectivity in southern Lebanon.
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Israel’s Defense Minister characterized the strikes as a decisive warning to Hezbollah, declaring that the group would not be permitted to exploit Lebanese infrastructure.
Russian officials condemned the attack on journalists wearing press markings, asserting that the strike could not have been accidental, especially given the numerous journalist casualties in Gaza.
“The rocket did not strike a significant military installation but rather the precise location of the report,” she noted, emphasizing the need for accountability from international organizations.
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Various press freedom organizations have accused Israeli forces of intentionally targeting journalists. Following the recent escalation, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported the deaths of at least three journalists in Iran and Gaza.
The ongoing violence is severely affecting civilian movement and humanitarian aid delivery, prompting appeals from European nations and Canada for Israel to cease its operations due to potential humanitarian disasters.
Lebanese officials reported that over 1 million people have been displaced as a result of Israel’s military actions this month.
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