Ukrainian journalist Olha Priadko has died at the age of 51 in her apartment in Pristina, where she had lived with her son for two years, the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK) announced.
The cause of her death is still unknown.
Priadko was being housed in Kosovo as part of the "Journalists in Residence" program, through which journalists from Ukraine, which has been facing Russian occupation since 2022, can live and work from Kosovo.
"Her dedication to journalism will be remembered and honored by all who worked with her," AGK wrote in the announcement.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani expressed condolences on the death of the Ukrainian journalist and said she was "a courageous voice of journalism and a testament to strength and resilience in difficult circumstances."
Meanwhile, Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, said that she took refuge in Kosovo to escape the tragedy of the war in her country.
"She was a professional journalist and a devoted mother, who carried with her the strength and courage that only those who go through such suffering can understand," Kurti said.
The European Union Office in Kosovo also expressed deep sorrow over Priadko's death.
"Her dedication to journalism and the time she spent with the 'Journalists in Residence' program will always be remembered," the EU said, expressing condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
"Journalists in Residence", through which Priadko was sheltered in Kosovo, is a program initiated by the European Center for Press and Media Freedom - ECPMF and is financially supported by the Government of Kosovo.
This program provides temporary housing for Ukrainian journalists.
They are provided with a monthly salary, housing, working conditions, language and integration courses, as well as psychosocial assistance as needed.
In addition to assistance through this program, the state of Kosovo has condemned the Russian occupation of Ukraine and joined international sanctions imposed on Moscow. REL (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
