French judicial authorities have commenced a war crimes investigation into the killing of French photojournalist Antoni Lallican, who perished during a drone attack in southeastern Ukraine. This inquiry, led by France's anti-terror unit (PNAT) and the Central Office for the Fight against Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes, seeks to address allegations of international humanitarian law violations.

Antoni Lallican, affiliated with the Hans Lucas photojournalism agency, was documenting the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia from the front lines alongside Ukraine’s Fourth Armoured Brigade in the Donbas region when he was fatally struck by a drone on October 3, 2025. His work, particularly centered on the war's impact in the Donbas, had earned him the prestigious 2024 Victor Hugo Prize for Committed Photography.

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly condemned the attack, attributing the drone strike to Russian forces and highlighting the peril journalists face in conflict zones. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has noted this incident as the first journalist death by drone strike in Ukraine, marking a grim new method of targeting the press.

This incident underscores the escalating risks for journalists in conflict areas, with at least 18 media personnel reported killed since the conflict's onset, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also acknowledges the heavy toll on journalists, including four French nationals.

The targeting of journalists has been criticized by Sergiy Tomilenko, president of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), as a tactical measure by Russia to suppress on-the-ground reporting of war atrocities. This sentiment is echoed by UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, who in December 2024 highlighted the critical role of dependable reporting in illuminating global understanding of conflict zones.

This new investigation by French prosecutors aims not only to seek justice for Lallican but also to affirm international legal standards protecting journalists and other civilians in war situations. The global community continues to watch closely as developments unfold.