Russian forces kill French photojournalist Anthoni Lallican in targeted drone attack in Donetsk Oblast (updated)
Russian forces killed French journalist and photographer Anthoni Lallican in a targeted drone strike on October 3, 2025, the 4th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade reported on Friday. Ukrainian journalist and freelance photographer Heorhiy Ivanchenko, a member of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, was working with him at the time. He was injured but is in stable condition.
Anthoni LallicanAccording to the Brigade, both journalists were wearing personal protective equipment, and their bulletproof vests had identification marks – the word “PRESS”.
According to sources of the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), the Russians attacked the journalists in the area of Druzhkivka, the Donetsk region.
“The enemy has once again cynically violated the norms of international humanitarian law. This fact once again confirms the insidiousness and cruelty of the enemy army,” the brigade said in a statement. “The 4th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives, friends, and all who knew the late Mr. Anthoni Lallikan. It also hopes for the speedy recovery of Heorhiy Ivanchenko.”
Heorhiy Ivanchenko / Photo credits: Heorhiy IvanchenkoUpdated: On October 6, photographer Olha Kovalyova stated that Heorhiy Ivanchenko had his leg amputated after sustaining a severe injury while performing professional duties.
“During his work on the front line, Heorge sustained a severe injury, lost a lot of blood, and doctors were forced to amputate his leg. Ahead are a series of operations, prolonged rehabilitation, and prosthetics. We are raising funds for urgent treatment, postoperative care, and rehabilitation. Every amount matters,” she wrote on Facebook and published ways to donate in monobank and PayPal: ukrainianphotographers@argentum97 .
“A person who saved others — literally, more than once. After my injury, he was by my side every day when things were at their worst, helping me get through each day, supporting me, lifting me up, and not letting me break,” Kovalyova added.
IMI stated that Anthoni Lallican became the 112th media worker killed by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the 13th journalist killed while performing professional duties.
According to the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, 38-year-old Lallican was a Paris-based photojournalist who covered social and societal issues in conflict zones worldwide. He arrived in Ukraine in March 2022, immediately following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since then, he has documented the consequences of the war and begun long-term work with residents of the Donetsk region.
Lallican’s photographs were published by well-known French media, including Le Monde, Le Figaro, Libération, Mediapart, Society, Paris Match, Les Echos Week End, and La Vie, as well as international publications such as Der Spiegel, Zeit, FAZ, NZZ, Focus Magazin, Die Welt, Stern, TAZ, Le Temps, Der Standard, and La Presse, among others.
Anthoni Lallican is the recipient of various international awards, including the Prix Victor Hugo de la photographie engagée (2024). He was also shortlisted for the Lucas Dolega Award (2024) and received the JDD’s Favori distinction.
