French Journalist Killed in Ukraine by Russian Rocket Strike

A French journalist working for Agence France-Presse (AFP) lost his life to a Russian rocket strike near the conflict-ridden city of Bakhmut in the country’s eastern region.

The victim, identified as 32-year-old Arman Soldin, was a video coordinator known for his fearless reporting and dedication to documenting the conflict in the east. Soldin was stationed in the town of Chasiv Yar, approximately six miles from Bakhmut, when a deadly Grad missile struck the area, claiming his life.

At the time of the attack, Soldin was accompanying Ukrainian soldiers, who fortunately escaped harm. His presence on the front lines was a testament to his commitment to delivering the narrative of the conflict firsthand.

Fabrice Fries, the chairman of AFP, expressed his deepest condolences for the loss of their valued colleague and emphasized the dangers journalists face while reporting from the turbulent region of Ukraine. Soldin’s untimely death is a stark reminder of the grave risks that media professionals take in their pursuit of truth and information.

Soldin’s tragic fate adds to a grim tally of journalists, fixers, and drivers who have lost their lives while covering the conflict in Ukraine. According to Reporters Without Borders, at least eleven media personnel have been murdered in the line of duty during the course of the protracted conflict.

Among the recent incidents, a Ukrainian fixer was fatally shot in Kherson, while an Italian correspondent narrowly survived an attack near the Dnieper River by suspected Russian assassins. These events highlight the volatile and dangerous environment in which journalists operate, with their lives often on the line while striving to bring the world news from the conflict zone.

Throughout his career, Arman Soldin had garnered a reputation for his dedicated reporting and unwavering courage. Colleagues and friends have spoken highly of his commitment to truth and his unyielding spirit in the face of danger. Soldin’s passion for journalism was evident as he fearlessly traversed the front lines and captured the realities of the conflict in Ukraine for several months.