Arman Soldin, a dedicated video coordinator for Agence France-Presse (AFP) based in Ukraine, tragically lost his life in a missile strike near Bakhmut city on a recent Tuesday. The 32-year-old journalist, of Bosnian descent but born in France, was a seasoned war correspondent who had been following the ongoing conflict since Russia initiated its aggression. On the fateful day, Soldin was embedded with a group of four other colleagues, including Ukrainian military personnel, when they faced a sudden attack in Chasiv Yar around 4:30pm local time. His fellow journalists were fortunate to escape unscathed.
“Regularly, our journalists venture into this volatile region to provide coverage of the escalating hostilities, which have turned this area into Ukraine’s primary battleground over the past several months,” commented AFP in a public statement.
Sadly, Soldin joins a growing list of journalists who have lost their lives since the onset of the invasion. This list includes Pierre Zakrzewski, a photojournalist for Fox News, Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova, a consulting journalist, Brent Renaud, a journalist and documentary filmmaker, and Maks Levin, a photojournalist.
Soldin, who was born in Sarajevo, was relocated to France in 1992 amid the outbreak of the Bosnian war. He began his journey with AFP in Rome in 2015, and his first official assignment was in London later that same year.
AFP’s CEO, Fabrice Fries, expressed his deep sorrow over Soldin’s death, stating, “The entire agency is reeling from Arman’s demise. His untimely death underscores the inherent risks and dangers journalists confront daily while reporting from conflict zones like Ukraine.”
Soldin’s peers took to social media to honor him, describing him as a “courageous and persistent journalist” and a person with a “zest for life”. A touching video tribute showed him singing and chuckling while on a road trip with colleagues in April 2022.
Soldin had kept his camera rolling during a previous rocket attack and had described it as “pure terror”. However, he was also known for his compassion, having rescued a baby hedgehog from Russian shelling in Chasiv Yar and taken it back to base to nurse it back to health.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, both expressed their condolences on Twitter.
Soldin’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers that journalists face when covering conflicts around the world. As news outlets continue to send reporters to areas of conflict, the importance of their work in informing the world about these situations cannot be overstated. However, it is crucial that their safety and wellbeing are prioritized, and that steps are taken to ensure that they can carry out their work without putting their lives at risk.
The tragic death of AFP video journalist Arman Soldin highlights the dangers and risks that journalists face while reporting from conflict zones. Soldin was a brave and tenacious reporter who dedicated his career to informing the public about the events and people affected by the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. He was passionate about his work and willing to take enormous risks to speak the truth about the horrors of war.
Soldin’s death is a devastating loss not only to his family, friends, and colleagues but to the broader community of journalists who work in challenging and dangerous environments worldwide. It serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by reporters who seek to expose the truth and hold those in power accountable.
Despite the dangers, journalists like Soldin remain committed to their work, often putting themselves in harm’s way to report on important stories that might otherwise go untold. Their courage and dedication are essential to the functioning of a free and open society, and their contributions should be recognized and honored.
In conclusion, Arman Soldin’s death is a tragedy that should be mourned by all who believe in the importance of a free and independent press. His life and work stand as a testament to the critical role that journalists play in informing the public and holding those in power accountable. We must do all we can to ensure that journalists can continue to work safely and without fear of violence, and to support their efforts to report on the events and people that shape our world.
©world-news.biz