Arman Soldin, a correspondent of Agence-France Presse in Bakhmut, was reportedly killed in cross-fire. 

"We are devastated to learn of the death of AFP video journalist Arman Soldin in eastern Ukraine today. All of our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones," the agency tweeted. 

We are devastated to learn of the death of AFP video journalist Arman Soldin in eastern Ukraine today.

All of our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/T2y449o1Ry

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 9, 2023

Soldin was reportedly killed by rocket fire near the town of Chasiv Yar on the outskirts of Bakhmut, according to his colleagues. 

Read more: Former US Marine fighting alongside Ukrainian forces killed in Bakhmut

Earlier this week, the Chief of Russia's Wagner Group Private Military Company, Evgeny Prigozhin, submitted a request to Moscow to allow him to hand over his forces' positions in Bakhmut to the Akhmat battalion, led by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Prigozhin announced on Friday in a Telegram video that his forces will be withdrawing from Bakhmut City in Donbas on May 10, stating that the reason for this measure is that his units have been suffering significant losses due to a lack of artillery munitions and that they will be retreating to the rear camps to "lick their wounds."

Bakhmut, which is situated north of Donetsk, holds strategic significance for the course of the war. The city had long been the transportation route of food and supplies for the Ukrainian troops stationed in Donbass. 

Read more: Wagner to hand Bakhmut positions to Russian Army on May 10