Russian Journalist Injured in Shushi Believes Attack Was Planned for Gathering at Church

Yuri Kotenok, a Russian journalist injured in the Azerbaijani rocket attack on the Holy Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Erebuni Medical Center in Yerevan after undergoing several surgeries in Stepanakert. He has not yet regained his memory and cannot even remember his wife’s phone number. Although he has been given a phone, it has been reported that using it is challenging.

In an interview with Kommersant, he said, “We did not take any helmets or bulletproof vests with us, thinking we would have protective measures in Stepanakert. However, on the way, we learned about the strike on the church in Shushi. When we arrived, I was filming with my phone, which was in airplane mode, but somehow it managed to catch a signal. I assume they targeted the direction of the signal from the phone. We walked for 20 minutes, shooting the icons that had come under fire…”

He mentioned that Father Andrey had told them that a family was hiding in the basement during the strike. The priest shared that drones circled for 15 minutes before making an ascent. They were preparing to leave when the second strike hit the church.

Question - Do you remember that moment?
Yuri Kotenok - It was a terrifying blow. I already thought I was dead. I tried to pray and managed to get up. I was with another journalist, Levon Arzhanov. I called out, 'Leva, Leva.' There was an incredible amount of dust around. People approached and began to help me out. A deacon transported me to the hospital by car, praying for me. Then I fainted. I woke up here. I was born with a shirt on; there are microscopic fragments in my legs, hands, and even in my heart. However, they say I can live. My condition is normal. The treatment I am receiving is excellent, and they are taking care of me.

Question - What did you understand from this experience?
Yuri Kotenok - I believe they waited specifically for people to gather at the church to strike. I have not encountered such cruelty even in Chechnya.

Question - Did you know that they hit the exact same spot? They say a shell does not land in the same place twice...
Yuri Kotenok - This indicates that the drone operators specifically targeted it. It’s astonishing. Therefore, I advise all journalists who have remained there to consider everything and minimize the use of gadgets. Technology has reached a level where they can even target individuals.

It is noted that on October 8, three Russian journalists were injured in the Azerbaijani rocket attack on the Holy Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi. Two of them have already been transferred to Moscow from Yerevan, while Kotenok is not yet allowed to be moved.