12 journalists have died while covering the war in Ukraine
Arman Soldin, video team coordinator for Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Ukraine, was killed Tuesday afternoon in eastern Ukraine after being hit by a Krat missile, according to news agency journalists who were accompanying him. Death.
The attack took place around 16:30 local time (14:30 in Lisbon) near the Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yarin, near Pakmut, a key battleground between Russian and Ukrainian forces since last year.
“We are devastated to learn of the death of journalist Arman Soldin,” read the AFP Twitter account, which also left a message of condolence for the family.
We are devastated to learn of the death of AFP video journalist Arman Soldin in eastern Ukraine today. All our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/T2y449o1Ry
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 9, 2023
32-year-old Arman Soldin was accompanied by four colleagues, who were unharmed, and Ukrainian soldiers were hit by a barrage of missiles.
Journalists regularly travel to the area to report on the conflict in the region, which has been at the heart of the fighting in Ukraine for months.
“The agency as a whole is broken,” AFP’s executive director Fabrice Fries responded.
“His death is a stark reminder of the risks and dangers journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine face daily,” he added.
Phil Chetwind, AFP news director, paid tribute to the “brave, creative and tenacious” journalist.
“Arman’s amazing work epitomizes everything that makes us proud of AFP journalism in Ukraine,” he said.
A seasoned photojournalist formerly based in London, Arman Soldin has been a video coordinator in Ukraine since September 2022 and frequently travels to the front lines.
He was also part of an AFP team covering the first days of the Russian invasion, which began on February 24, 2022.
“Arman is enthusiastic, energetic and courageous. He is a true field reporter, always ready to go to even the most difficult areas,” said AFP Europe director Christine Buhagier.
“He is full of energy and he has defined himself in the networks as well. Totally dedicated to his work as a journalist”, he further elaborated.
Deployed to Rome in 2015 before joining the London delegation that same year, Armand, of French citizenship and Bosnian descent, was born in Sarajevo.
In April, the Federation of Journalists reported that at least 12 journalists were killed and another 18 injured while covering the war in Ukraine.
Among the dead are names like photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski or journalist Brent Renaud.
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”