Because there’s a war on?
How about if the target is Zelenskyy? Do you expect me to believe BBC would restrain itself to a mere ‘attack’ report?
That General is a part of the Russian armed forces, hence he is a valid military target. Zelensky is a civilian leader.
You are wrong about that.
The (ukrainian) president… (is) serving as supreme commander-in-chief of the military, as is common in many countries.
Actually, yes.
I’m not going to assume good fate on anyone’s part, but isn’t an assassination attempt a kind of attack?
In journalism there are guidebooks for the gravity of the words used, as they make a significant connotational impact in the audience.
I.e: israeli hostages vs palestinian detainees.
That’s not the same thing is it? “Hostages” vs “detainees” carries the connotation of “criminal action” vs “legitimate state power”. The example you posted is much, much, much less clear.
I think that’s exactly the point.