Macron posthumously honored a journalist killed in the Donetsk region
French President Emmanuel Macron posthumously awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor to French photojournalist Anthony Lallican, who was killed in the Donetsk region during a Russian attack. The photographer was documenting the war in Ukraine and was working at a construction site for defensive fortifications when a Russian FPV drone struck.
French President Emmanuel Macron posthumously awarded Anthony Lallican the Order of the Legion of Honor—the country’s highest state honor. The French military photojournalist was killed in the fall of 2025 in the Donetsk region as a result of a strike by a Russian FPV drone while on an editorial assignment.
According to the document, Anthony Lallican was posthumously awarded the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor. The decree states that he was “a military photojournalist who died on October 3, 2025, while performing his professional duties.”
As a reminder, the 37-year-old French photographer was working in the Donetsk region alongside Ukrainian journalists. On the day of his death, they were documenting the construction of defensive fortifications near the front line. At that moment, Russian forces attacked the group with an FPV drone.
Antoine Lallican was killed instantly. Ukrainian photojournalist Georgiy Ivanchenko, who was working alongside him, sustained serious injuries. Both journalists were wearing bulletproof vests and helmets clearly marked “Press,” indicating their status as media representatives.
Following the death of the French photojournalist, France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into a possible war crime. The case was referred to the Central Directorate for the Prosecution of Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes. French authorities have repeatedly stated that they condemn Russia’s targeted attacks on journalists covering the war in Ukraine and insist that those responsible be held accountable.
Antoine Lallican has collaborated with many well-known French and international media outlets. His photo reports have been published by Le Monde, Le Figaro, Libération, Mediapart, Paris Match, Der Spiegel, Die Welt, and Le Temps. Interestingly, he originally trained as a pharmacist. It wasn’t until he was 30 that Lallican decided to make a radical career change and devote himself to photojournalism. Since then, he has worked in war zones, documenting events and people’s lives during wartime.
The posthumous award of the Order of the Legion of Honor was a recognition of his professional work, courage, and contribution to covering the war in Ukraine. The corresponding decree was published in France’s official gazette, the Journal officiel.
