---
title: "UNESCO: 189 Journalists Killed in Two Years, Quarter of War Zone Deaths Caused by Drone Strikes"
description: "UNESCO has published a report showing 189 journalists killed in 2024–2025—a 20% increase from the previous year. 127 deaths occurred in war zones, with 40% of those linked to drone strikes."
date: 2026-11-04T21:34:40.170Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/unesco-report-journalist-safety-drone-strikes
tags: [unesco, journalists, drone-strikes, press-freedom, conflict-zones]
author: "Andrey Kosynko, Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# UNESCO: 189 Journalists Killed in Two Years, Quarter of War Zone Deaths Caused by Drone Strikes

![Female journalist in a press flak jacket filming amid a ruined city backdrop](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/yunesko-otchet-bezopasnost-zhurnalistov-udary-dronov/yunesko-otchet-bezopasnost-zhurnalistov-udary-dronov-1.webp)

## Key Points

- 189 journalists were killed in 2024–2025, a 20% increase compared to 2022–2023
- 127 out of 189 deaths occurred in armed conflict zones
- 40% of those killed in conflict zones were victims of drone strikes
- Top countries by death toll: Palestine (62), Mexico (17), Sudan (14), Ukraine (12)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has published a new report on the safety of journalists, documenting alarming global trends. According to the document, 189 media workers were killed in the line of duty between 2024 and 2025—a 20 percent increase compared to the previous reporting period of 2022–2023. The report emphasizes that the vast majority of these losses occur in armed conflict zones, where the work of reporters and camera operators carries a direct risk to life.

### Rising Death Toll and Concentration of Losses in Combat Zones

According to UNESCO data, 127 of the 189 recorded journalist deaths occurred directly in war zones. This means that more than two-thirds of all deaths are linked to active hostilities rather than other forms of threats. The remaining cases are distributed across territories where journalists face violence in the absence of a full-scale armed conflict—specifically when covering organized crime.

### Drones Emerge as Major Threat to the Press

The report pays special attention to the changing nature of threats in modern warfare. According to UNESCO, 40 percent of journalists killed in armed conflict zones fell victim to uncrewed aerial vehicle (drone) strikes. The organization points out that remote high-precision weapons have become one of the most serious threats to the safety of media representatives, as their use complicates target identification and increases the risk of accidental harm to civilians, including journalists.

### Geography of Losses: Palestine, Mexico, Sudan, Ukraine

The report highlights several countries with the highest number of media casualties. Ranking first is Palestine, where UNESCO reports 62 journalists killed; military operations in the region are described as the most devastating for the press. Mexico ranks second (17 deaths), where risks persist even without an armed conflict due to the coverage of drug cartels and organized crime. Sudan holds the third position (14 deaths) amid an internal armed conflict and humanitarian crisis, while Ukraine ranks fourth (12 deaths), where both local and international journalists have been killed amidst ongoing hostilities.

### Call to Respect International Humanitarian Law

In conclusion, UNESCO calls on the international community to ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law protecting reporters and camera operators working in conflict zones. The organization views the rising death toll, including from drone use, as a signal of the urgent need to strengthen press protection mechanisms and hold perpetrators accountable for intentional and reckless attacks on journalists.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Какие страны являются самыми опасными для журналистов и почему участились удары дронов? – Zamin.uz, 04.11.2026](https://zamin.uz/ru/mir/226338-kakie-strany-yavlyayutsya-samymi-opasnymi-dlya-zhurnalistov-i-pochemu-uchastilis-udary-dronov.html) - Primary source of UNESCO report: 189 killed in 2024–2025, 20% increase, 127 in conflict zones, 40% from drones, country breakdown (Palestine 62, Mexico 17, Sudan 14, Ukraine 12).

## FAQ

### How many journalists were killed in 2024–2025 according to UNESCO?

According to the UNESCO report, 189 journalists were killed in 2024–2025, which is 20 percent more than in 2022–2023.

### What proportion of deaths in conflict zones are linked to drone strikes?

According to the report, 40 percent of journalists killed in armed conflict zones fell victim to uncrewed aerial vehicle strikes.

### Which countries lead in the number of killed journalists?

The leading countries are Palestine (62), Mexico (17), Sudan (14), and Ukraine (12).