Fox NewsFox News cameraman Pierre Zakszewski, here in the foreground, died in a shootout in Ukraine, the network said (photo taken in March in Kyiv and provided by the network).
WAR IN UKRAINE – “He was an absolute legend.” On Tuesday, March 15, Fox News reported the death of one of its journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine, Pierre Zakszewski, who the day before was the victim of a shootout in the company of his colleague Benjamin Hall, who was injured.
The London-based operator has covered all of the recent conflicts, according to a channel press release signed by Susannah Scott, general manager of America’s News Channel: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine since February.
Fox cameraman Pierre Zakszewski, who worked with Benjamin Hall, was killed yesterday in Ukraine. Suzanne Scott’s memo is here: pic.twitter.com/rnWBI6DYRF
— Sarah Ellison (@sarahelison) March 15, 2022
Dear colleagues,
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share this morning the news of our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakszewski. Pierre was killed in Gorenka, near Kiev, Ukraine. Yesterday Pierre was with Benjamin Hall at a news gathering when he was shot. MORE pic.twitter.com/Elr7deWR89— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) March 15, 2022
“He had many talents, and there is not a single role that he would not take with passion to help us in this area: cinematographer, sound engineer, journalist …” continues the press release. “And he did it every time, despite the pressure, with amazing skill!”
“Household hero” for his colleagues
This Monday, March 14, Pierre Zakszewski was escorting Benjamin Hall, a British reporter for Fox News, to Irpin, a northwestern suburb of Kyiv, when their car was shot at. The latter is currently hospitalized in Ukraine, but Fox News did not report on the state of his health, specifying that he is working “to collect more accurate information.”
#VIOLATION: Fox News reports that cinematographer Pierre Zakszewski was killed yesterday in an attack that wounded Benjamin Hall.@BillHammer called it an “absolute legend”, which “cover[ed] wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria” and “his loss is devastating.” pic.twitter.com/4YYrZcQD0l
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 15, 2022
According to several Ukrainian journalists and officials, as well as various U.S. media outlets, including PBS and CNN, the attack on the group also killed a local fixer who accompanied two Fox News reporters Oleksandra Kuvshinova.
His Ukrainian colleague Alexandra Kuvshinova also died.
Another Fox News reporter, Benjamin Hall, was critically injured. The incident took place northwest of Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/qFOpF54Fty— Ilya Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) March 15, 2022
Immediately after the news of the death of Pierre Zakszewski, tributes to a loved one multiplied on social networks. In fact, the image-maker reporter received an internal award last year after being involved in securing Afghan Fox News staff during the Taliban takeover. For this feat, colleagues called him an “everyday hero.”
Peter, we miss you. We are devastated. pic.twitter.com/P779HX4p2L
— Jackie Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) March 15, 2022
I do not know what to say. Pierre was as good as they come. Selfless. Brave. Passionate. I’m so sorry this happened to you. pic.twitter.com/IvxlPWGDAl
— Trey Inst (@TreyYingst) March 15, 2022
As with the announcement of Benjamin Hall’s injuries, Fox News ends its press release with a reminder of the dangers of the mission of journalists sent to theaters of war to provide images and information to the public. “Today is a tragic day for Fox News and for all journalists who risk their lives to report,” we can read there.
Look also at HuffPost: In Russia, Marina Ovsyannikova interrupts the most viewed news