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Who was Pierre Zakrzewski? Fox News war zone photographer killed in Ukraine

Zakrzewski was a 'war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for FOX News from Iraq to Afghanistan'

Fox News has confirmed that its cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in Ukraine on Monday, March 14, while the network’s correspondent Benjamin Hall had to be hospitalized. The veteran journalist, 55, died when the vehicle he was commuting in came under fire in Gorenka, outside Kyiv.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott wrote in a memo to the network’s employees. “Pierre was killed in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine. Pierre was with Benjamin Hall yesterday newsgathering when their vehicle was struck by incoming fire.”

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Also killed in the attack was Ukrainian producer and fixer Oleksandra "Sasha" Kuvshynova, 24. Fox News confirmed that Kuvshynova was working with them as a consultant. "She was incredibly talented and spent weeks working directly with our entire team there, operating around the clock to make sure the world knew what was happening in her country," Suzanne Scott said in a statement.

Who was Pierre Zakrzewski?

Zakrzewski was an Irish citizen and journalist. He was killed while on duty covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mourning Zakrzewski's death, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said, "The killing of all citizens through this reckless war is deplorable, and I also wish to strongly condemn the targeting of journalists who have been working bravely to shine a light on the plight of Ukraine since the outbreak of hostilities. Ireland once again calls on Russia to bring an end to this war and we stand ready to support any initiative which can deliver peace. We will continue to demand accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law."

Scott said that Zakrzewski was a “war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for FOX News from Iraq to Afghanistan", noting that his “passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched.”

“Pierre was a constant in all of our international coverage,” Fox News president Jay Wallace said about Zakrzewski. “I, like countless others, always felt an extra sense of reassurance when arriving on the scene and seeing him with camera in hand. The legacy of his positive spirit, boundless energy and eye for the story will carry on.” Scott also said that Zakrzewski was known for helping freelance associates and their families flee Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. 

Los Angeles Times correspondent Marcus Yam took to Twitter to share a photo of Zakrzewski, saying, "This is how I want to remember Pierre Zakrzewski. Big smiles. Fantastic human being. Kind, generous & radiates an upbeat can-do energy. From Kabul to Kyiv, he never stopped wanting to help. He was found dead alongside Ukrainian journalist, Oleksandra Kuvshynova. RIP Miss you." Fox News journalist Jennifer Griffin wrote, "Such a fine man. Such a good friend. Such a fantastic war photographer and so much more. RIP Pierre Zakrzewski."

These killings come days after the death of freelance journalist Brent Renaud, who was in Ukraine covering the global refugee crisis for a documentary with Sugar23, Time Studios and Day Zero Productions. "As an award-winning filmmaker and journalist, Brent tackled the toughest stories around the world often alongside his brother Craig Renaud," Time editor-in-chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal and president and COO of Time and Time Studios Ian Orefice said in a statement. "In recent weeks, Brent was in the region working on a TIME Studios project focused on the global refugee crisis. Our hearts are with all of Brent's loved ones."