WATCH: Alaraby TV crew in Ukraine come under direct Russian fire

An Alaraby TV reporter and a cameraman came under direct Russian fire north of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Saturday, as an increasing number of journalists are targeted by Moscow's forces despite in many cases wearing clear press identification markings.

Reporter Adnan Can and cameraman Habib Demirci were shot at in the Arbin area, north of the capital, Kyiv, according to Alaraby TV.

The New Arab and Alaraby TV are part of the same media network, Fadaat Media.

Can and Demirci said they were now stuck in an area between the Ukrainian forces and the Russian forces, where clashes are taking place.

Reporter Adnan Can and cameraman Habib Demirci came under fire from Russian forces in the Arbin area, north of the capital, Kyiv, according to @AlarabyTV The New Arab and Alaraby TV are part of the same media network, Fadaat Media.https://t.co/gW0mvEurY0

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) March 7, 2022

In a phone call with Al-Araby TV in London, Can said that Russian forces paid little attention to the white flag his crew raised and continued shooting in their direction in the Arbin area.

"The humanitarian conditions here are grave and we are calling for a ceasefire for at least two hours so the women, children, senior citizens and ourselves can flee the area safely. We have no food, no water and sporadic internet that cuts for many hours at a time," Can said.

He said they were able to shelter in the house of a Ukrainian family, who offered to host them.

A statement from Alaraby TV called on the Russian and Ukrainian forces to ensure the safety of its crew and said it holds them responsible for their safety.

It stressed the reporters are in Ukraine to "carry out their journalistic work in total professionalism".

Alaraby TV also urged international press organisations to ensure the safety of its stranded team in the Arbin region, north of Kyiv.

Russia launched a full-scale and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, deploying tens of thousands of troops in and around the country. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed in indiscriminate Russian shelling. 

It included bloody assaults on several major Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, with rockets and artillery.