MUMBAI: CNN has appointed Matthew Chance, the international correspondent based in CNN’s London production center, as senior international correspondent in the network’s Moscow bureau.

Chance takes up the new position in August.

Chance joins an award-winning team in Moscow, including Ryan Chilcote, one of CNN’s cutting-edge video correspondents using the latest digital newsgathering equipment. Chance’s appointment follows Jill Dougherty’s move from Moscow to her new role as managing editor for CNN in Asia Pacific, according to an official release.   

“Moscow is one of CNN’s most important bureaus, and Matthew’s appointment underscores CNN’s commitment to the region,” said CNN senior vice president of international newsgathering Tony Maddox. “He is one of the most accomplished correspondents at CNN and has covered many of the biggest international stories from the region.”

“I am honored that CNN has asked me to take on this key international role,” Chance said. “Moscow has a pivotal role to play in the global news agenda, and I look forward to the reporting challenges of reporting from Russia and the surrounding region.”

Chance has reported extensively for CNN from Afghanistan, Chechnya, throughout Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Russia. In Russia, Chance reported on the hostage crises in Moscow in October 2002 and from Beslan in 2004. CNN has operated a bureau in Moscow since 1983, states the release.