CNN reporter in Ukraine realizes he is 'crouching down right by a grenade' on air: 'Let's move away from that'
A CNN reporter while live on the air covering the Ukraine crisis calmly revealed to viewers he had been crouching down right next to a grenade.
On Monday, CNN anchor John Berman spoke live with senior international correspondant Matthew Chance, who was reporting in the field from Ukrainian capital Kyiv after a battle. Chance was crouched on the ground speaking with Berman about Russia's ongoing invasion of the country, only to come to an alarming realization.
"I was crouching down right by a grenade there and I didn't see that," he said after standing up. "So let's move away from that."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
An unshaken Chance continued reporting, breaking down the state of Ukraine's defense against Russia. He also took viewers through the aftermath of a "ferocious battle" on Monday, noting it was a "real scene of devastation" and that there were "unexploded grenades" everywhere.
"I toured this area earlier, and there are some terrible things that we can't really show you on camera in terms of dead bodies, Russians, still lying here on the ground," he said.
Chance is one of a number of CNN journalists who has been reporting live from the scene throughout the Ukraine invasion. Last week, Chance was speaking during a live shot when he was interrupted by "big explosions" in Kyiv, and he was seen putting his jacket and helmet on while on the air. During another stunning live shot last week, Chance reported from outside an airport near Kyiv while realizing Russian forces had taken it over.
CNN has earned widespread praise for its live coverage of the Ukraine crisis. "CNN once again turned into necessary viewing over the past 36 hours as Russia invaded Ukraine," Tom Jones wrote for Poynter last week, while conservative commentator Erick Erickson praised the coverage as "impressive."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The future of X
Talking Point Trump's ascendancy is reviving the platform's coffers, whether or not a merger is on the cards
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine-Russia: are both sides readying for nuclear war?
Today's Big Question Putin changes doctrine to lower threshold for atomic weapons after Ukraine strikes with Western missiles
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What happens if Russia declares war on Nato?
Today's Big Question Fears are growing after Vladimir Putin's 'unusually specific warning' to Western governments
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Are Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets too little too late?
Today's Big Question US-made aircraft are 'significant improvement' on Soviet-era weaponry but long delay and lack of trained pilots could undo advantage against Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's stolen children
Under the Radar Officially 20,000 children have been detained since Russia's invasion in 2022, but the true number is likely to be far higher
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief timeline of Russia's war in Ukraine
In Depth How the Kremlin's plan for a quick conquest turned into a quagmire
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published