The Crime Agents Cheating death: ‘I was ambushed by Russian hitmen’
Feb 15, 2026
Richie Mockler, veteran Sky News cameraman and ex-Royal Marine, survived a harrowing ambush in Ukraine and decades of frontline danger. He recounts tracer rounds shredding his vehicle, being hit while filming, a desperate sprint to safety, shelter in a garage, and a dramatic rescue by Ukrainian police. He also reflects on why he keeps returning to warzones and the toll on family and mental health.
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Checkpoint Paranoia Before Ambush
- Richie Mockler describes rising roadside tensions and militia checkpoints in the early days of the invasion.
- Teams faced mock executions and aggressive armed checks that made routine reporting increasingly dangerous.
Never Let Your Guard Drop
- Stay constantly vigilant until you reach a secure location; don’t let relief lower your guard.
- Treat every suspicious checkpoint or calming sign with the same caution as active danger.
Tyre Blast And Trapped In The Footwell
- A device blew the tyre and tracer rounds then tore through their hire car during the ambush.
- Richie got wedged in the footwell, took two rounds into his body armour, and kept filming throughout.