Death of French reporter in Ukraine - 24th May 2023

For many, journalism isn't merely a profession, it's a mission. A journalist's goal is to reveal the truth of what's happening in different corners of the world, and to bring it to the attention of the public. Many put their lives at risk to do this, particularly when it involves reporting from war zones.

Arman Soldin, a journalist with Agence France-Presse (AFP) was one such journalist. One of the first TV reporters on the ground after the conflict broke out in Ukraine, his mother said "he wanted to see the truth."

That desire cost Soldin his life when he was struck by a rocket in a town near war-torn Bakhmut, in the eastern region of Donbas on 9th May. Soldin was the only member of his team to be killed, but his death has brought the number of journalists killed in Ukraine to at least 11.

Soldin's colleagues at AFP, in offices across the world, held a minute of silence in honour of their friend and fellow worker.

Phil Chetwynd: "I think just what emerges from that is just a simply wonderful human being, an unbelievably dedicated journalist who believed his work could make the world a better place. He was in Ukraine because he believed in that and I think it's incredibly important that we remember that and honour that."

Arman Soldin, aged just 32, was a Bosnian-born French citizen, and now the details surrounding his death will be examined as a war crime by French prosecutors.

The video coverage shown in this report was largely filmed during Soldin's assignments in Ukraine.