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October 03, 2025 – France/Ukraine/Russia –
A French photojournalist, Antoni Lallican, was fatally struck by a drone in eastern Ukraine while covering the conflict in the Donetsk/Donbas region.
Lallican, who was 37 years old, and a Ukrainian colleague—Georgiy Ivanchenko—were traveling together when the attack occurred. Ivanchenko survived but was seriously injured. Both were wearing protective gear marked “PRESS” at the time of the strike.
Early reports from the Ukrainian 4th Separate Mechanized Brigade described the strike as a targeted drone attack, identifying it as the first in which a working journalist was killed by a drone in the war. Lallican’s death is being widely condemned by press freedom organizations, calling for a prompt, independent investigation.
Lallican’s work had been widely published in prominent French and international outlets, including Le Monde, Der Spiegel, Libération, Le Temps, and Die Welt. In 2024, he was awarded the Victor Hugo Prize for “Committed Photography” for a series titled Suddenly the Sky Darkened, which chronicled Ukraine’s war realities.
In reaction to the news, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) paid tribute to Lallican, calling for accountability and highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed sorrow and praised Lallican’s dedication on social media.
His passing marks a stark reminder of the escalating risks to journalists operating on the front lines. Lallican’s death may also be one of the first documented cases of a reporter being killed in Ukraine by a drone, underscoring evolving threats media workers face.
Reference –
Russian drone kills French journalist Antoni Lallican in Ukraine
