AFP’s Ukraine video coordinator Arman Soldin He was killed in a rocket attack on Tuesday near Chasiv Yar in the east UkraineAFP reporters who witnessed the incident reported.
The attack happened around 4:30 p.m. on the outskirts of the city of Pakmut, which has been at the center of months of fighting in eastern Ukraine.
An AFP team was with a group of Ukrainian soldiers when they were fired upon by Grad rockets.
Soldin, 32, was killed when a rocket hit near where he was lying. Other teammates were unhurt.
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
“The entire agency is devastated by the loss of Armaan,” AFP chief Fabrice Fries said. “His death is a terrible reminder of the risks and dangers journalists face every day covering the conflict in Ukraine.”
Born in Sarajevo, Soldin is a French national.
He began working as an intern in AFP’s Rome bureau in 2015 and was later posted to London.
He was part of the first AFP team sent to Ukraine following the start of Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, arriving the next day.
Soldin has been living in Ukraine since September, leading the team’s coverage and regularly traveling to the front lines in the east and south.
Soldin’s death means at least 11 journalists or fixers and drivers have been killed for media groups covering the war in Ukraine, according to media advocacy groups Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“Arman’s groundbreaking work embodies everything that has made us proud of AFP’s journalism in Ukraine,” the agency’s global news director Phil Chetwynd said in a statement. “Arman’s death is a terrible reminder of the risks and dangers of covering up this war. Our thoughts tonight are with his family and friends, and with all our people in Ukraine.”
AFP’s Europe director Christine Buhagier remembered Soldin as “passionate, energetic and courageous”.
“He was a true on-the-ground reporter, always willing to work in even the most difficult locations,” he said. “He was totally dedicated to his craft.”
A day before his death, Soldin described the horrors of war, posting a video on social media. Practicing Physicians In the Wounded Soldier’s Heart.
At a ‘fixation point’ near 60 seconds #Bakhmuth
Deep within the wound, the soldier’s heart beats. It was 9 pm and he was brought to a field hospital from the Battle of Bagmuth.
The bullet went through the young man’s left arm and passed through his chest.#AFP #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/N9wVDNLDxh
— Arman Soldin (@ArmanSoldin) May 8, 2023
Soldin, whose The Twitter profile picture has a cat Sitting on his back, he had a soft spot for animals. Last week, the animal rescue group tweeted a video of Soldin and his team rescuing an injured porcupine from a trench in Ukraine.
Heart warming ❤️
🇫🇷 Journalist @ArmanSoldin And his crew 🇺🇦 rescued a porcupine from a ditch
Finding it alive, the team gave it some water and took it to safety. They feed the animal, rescue it for two days and release it into the wild pic.twitter.com/qzulIZvULR— UAnimals.ENG 🇺🇦 (@UAnimalsENG) May 5, 2023
“The team found it alive, gave it some water and took it to safety,” Uanimals.ENG tweeted. “They fed the animal and allowed it to recover for two days before releasing it into the wild.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said In a statement on Tuesday, it said: “Our hearts go out to the family of journalist Arman Soldin, who lost his life today on the front lines of war in Ukraine, and to Arman’s colleagues at AFP. Journalism is fundamental to a free society. The world owes Arman, and 10 other reporters and media workers, a debt of gratitude for bringing to light the horrors of Russia’s invasion. “
AFP photojournalist Daniel Leal responded to the news of his colleague’s death with a simple message on Twitter: “Forever remembered. Always loved. Armand Soldin.”
