10.05.2023
Agence France-Presse said its reporter Arman Sodin was killed in a rocket attack in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on Tuesday. According to Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, 11 journalists, media team fixtures or drivers have been killed so far while covering the war in Ukraine.
(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) The 32-year-old AFP video coordinator Arman Soldin (Arman Soldin) was killed in a rocket attack in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine on Tuesday (May 9).
Other AFP journalists present said rockets hit the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, a small town near Bakhmut that has been hostile to Ukraine in recent months, at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The center of the Eastern battle.
The Agence France-Presse news team and a group of Ukrainian soldiers were attacked by rockets. A rocket landed near Sodin, and Sodin was killed on the spot. Other members of the AFP team were not injured.
“The entire agency mourns the loss of Sordin,” AFP chairman Fabrice Fries said.
“His death reminds us of the risks and threats journalists face every day when covering the conflict in Ukraine.”
Sordin, a French citizen, was born in what is now the capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo, according to Agence France-Presse. He traveled to Ukraine to report on the war the day after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and has regularly traveled to the front lines in recent months.
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Sordin on Twitter, praising his bravery.
“With his bravery, he was on the front line reporting from the first hours of the conflict. Bringing us the truth. Our hearts go out to his family and colleagues.”
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense also issued a statement on Twitter, expressing “sincere condolences” to Sordin’s family and colleagues.
“He gave his life to bring the truth to the world. His spirit and his work will live on.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also paid tribute to Sordin. She said the world was grateful for the journalists who lost their lives covering the conflict. “Journalism is fundamental to a free society.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered his condolences in a speech at Freedom House in Washington. “Today, we were saddened to learn that AFP video reporter Arman Sodin died in the line of duty in eastern Ukraine. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones, as well as the entire AFP family.”
According to statistics from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), including Sodin, at least 11 journalists, permanent members of media teams or drivers have been killed while reporting on the Ukrainian war.
RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire praised the courage of journalists who report on the war every day and called Sordin’s death “a tragedy for all who defend independent and reliable information”.
(AFP)
© 2023 Deutsche Welle Copyright Statement: All content in this article is protected by copyright law and may not be used without special authorization from Deutsche Welle. Any wrongdoing will result in recovery and be subject to criminal prosecution.