French journalist Arman Soldin killed in rocket attack in eastern Ukraine

Arman Soldin (32 years old), video coordinator of the Agence France-Presse (AFP) was killed Tuesday afternoon in a ‘Grad’-type rocket attack in eastern Ukraine. The bombardment took place around 4:30 p.m. local time (13:30 GMT) in the surroundings of Chassiv YarUkrainian town near Bakhmutwhich is a daily target of Russian forces.

The four journalists, of whom only Soldin has died, were with the Ukrainian military at the time of the attack. “The agency as a whole is devastated,” said the general director of AFP, Fabrice Fries. “Their death of him is a terrible reminder of the risks and dangers that journalists face every day that cover the conflict in Ukraine,” he added.

Soldin was an experienced photojournalistborn in bosnianwho had previously worked at Rome and London. I was a video coordinator in Ukraine from September 2022 and regularly visited the front line. He was also part of the AFP team that covered the early days of the Russian invasion.

The European director of AFP, Christine Buhagiarhas stated that “Arman was enthusiastic, energetic and courageous. He was a true field reporter, always ready to go, even to the most difficult areas.” In addition, he added that “he was full of energy, which is how he described himself in the networks. He was totally devoted to his journalistic work.”

The agency has expressed its regret on its Twitter account, “we are devastated. All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”