2 years ago
Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed while on assignment in Ukraine, the network reported on-air on Tuesday.
Zakrzewski, 55, was in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, on Monday when his vehicle was struck by incoming fire. The Fox News journalist was in Ukraine covering Russia's invasion of its western neighbor, which began last month.
Zakrzewski was killed in the same incident that injured Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall, who was hospitalized with his injuries. No update has been provided on the status of Hall, a State Department correspondent.
“Pierre was an absolute legend at this network, and his loss is devastating,” America’s Newsroom co-host Bill Hemmer said, announcing Zakrzewski’s death live on-air Tuesday morning.
Zakrzewski was based in London but had been in Ukraine since February. He covered wars in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq during his tenure at Fox News.
Zakrzewski’s passing is the second journalist casualty in as many days in Ukraine. American journalist Brent Renaud, a Peabody-winning filmmaker, was shot by Russian forces while in his car Sunday.
Now in its third week, the cost of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has been catastrophic. The United Nations reported Tuesday that more than 3 million people have fled Ukraine since the fighting began. The number of civilians and soldiers killed is believed to be in the thousands, though exact figures are difficult to verify amid the ongoing fighting.
John Roberts, a Fox News host, was the first to share the news of Zakrzewski’s passing on social media, calling Zakrzewski “an absolute treasure.”
Other Fox News colleagues shared tributes on social media. “Such a fine man. Such a good friend. Such a fantastic war photographer and so much more,” Jennifer Griffin, a national security correspondent, tweeted.
“Pierre was as good as they come,” Trey Yingst, a Fox News foreign correspondent, said. “Selfless. Brave. Passionate.”
English (US)