Fox News photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski killed in Ukraine

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A Fox News cameraman was killed in Ukraine on Monday when the vehicle he was traveling in with correspondent Benjamin Hall was struck by incoming fire, the network confirmed Tuesday.  

Pierre Zakrzewski, 55, an Irish citizen according to the country’s prime minister, had been based in London, but was covering Russian’s invasion of Ukraine with Hall when their vehicle was hit in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said in an email to staff.  

‘It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski,’ Scott wrote. ‘Pierre was killed in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine. Pierre was with Benjamin Hall yesterday newsgathering when their vehicle was struck by incoming fire.’

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin responded to the news of Zakrzewski’s death, stating that he is ‘deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing of Irish citizen and journalist Pierre Zakrzewski.’

‘My thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow journalists. We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war by Russia on #Ukraine.’ 

The network also announced on Monday that Hall, the British reporter who was with Zakrzewski, had been injured in the attack and remains hospitalized, but said they have a ‘minimal level of details.’ 

News of the attack comes just after American reporter Brent Renaud was killed on Sunday when Russian forces opened fire on his vehicle. 

During comments at a press event in Washington Tuesday, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, thanked reporters who are on the ground in Ukraine.

‘Risking their lives to tell the world the truth’ is something that Ukraine and the world desperately need, she said at the National Press Club.

‘Pierre was a war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for Fox News from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria during his long tenure with us,’ Scott continued.  

She added that Zakrzewski had been working in Ukraine since February, and was based in London. His nationality is not known. 

Zakrzewski was described as a network veteran whose ‘passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched.’

His talents were vast and there wasn’t a role that he didn’t jump in to help with in the field — from photographer to engineer to editor to producer — and he did it all under immense pressure with tremendous skill. 

He was profoundly committed to telling the story ad his bravery, professionalism and work ethic were renowned among journalists at every media outlet. He was wildly popular — everyone in the media industry who has covered a foreign story knew and respected Pierre.’  

Scott also said that Zakrzewski played a key role in getting Fox’s Afghan freelance associates and their families out of the country after the US withdrawal. 

Zakrzewski was awarded the ‘Unsung Hero’ prize at Fox’s annual employee Spotlight Awards last December ‘in recognition of his invaluable work’, she added.  

Zakrzewski, was on assignment with Benjamin Hall, a British journalist working for Fox News, who was seriously injured in Monday’s attack after being hit in the legs by shrapnel. 

Hall, 39, a married father-of-three from London who has worked for the US television network since 2015, was being treated in intensive care in hospital. 

Scott told staff in a memo that bosses have a ‘minimal level of details’ and teams on the ground were working to find out more on what happened.

‘Pierre Zakrzewski was an absolute legend at this network and his loss is devastating,’ Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer said on the air Tuesday.  

‘He was a professional, he was a journalist, and he was a friend,’ Hemmer added. ‘We here at the Fox News Channel want to offer our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife, Michelle, and his entire family. Pierre Zakrzewski was only 55 years old, and we miss him already.’ 

Fellow journalists tweeted tributes of Zakrzewski after about his death.

‘I don’t know what to say,’ Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst wrote. ‘Pierre was as good as they come. Selfless. Brave. Passionate. I’m so sorry this happened to you. 

Clarissa Ward, CNN’s chief international correspondent, wrote on Twitter Tuesday that she had ‘the great privilege’ of having worked with Zakrzewski and ‘the even greater privilege of calling him a friend.’

‘An extraordinary spirit and tremendous talent and one of the kindest, most gracious colleagues on the road,’ Ward wrote on Twitter. ‘Absolutely heartbreaking.’

Fox News weather reporter Max Gorden said: ‘Gutting news. My thoughts are with Pierre Zakrzewski’s family. By all accounts Pierre was an incredible photographer and great human. Wishing safety for all the crews risking their lives in Ukraine.’

And Fox security correspondent Jen Griffin added: ‘Such a fine man. Such a good friend. Such a fantastic war photographer and so much more. RIP Pierre Zakrzewski.’ 

Hall, the reporter who was with Zakrzewski during Monday’s attack, has worked for the New York-based network since 2015 and has a wife and three daughters in London. 

Hall is a dual citizen of Britain and the US and covers the US State Department for Fox News.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told another Fox reporter in Washington DC yesterday that ‘our thoughts, the president’s thoughts, our administration’s thoughts are with him (Hall), his family and all of you at Fox News.’    

He is being treated for his injuries in intensive care.

‘The safety of our entire our entire team of journalists in Ukraine and the surrounding regions is our top priority and of the utmost importance,’ Scott said in the memo on Monday following the attack.

‘This is a stark reminder for all journalists who are putting their lives on the line every day to deliver the news from a war zone. We will update everyone as we know more. Please keep Ben and his family in your prayers.’

The State Department Correspondents’ Association said in a statement that it was ‘horrified to learn that our fellow correspondent Benjamin Hall was injured as he covered the Ukraine war.’

‘We know Ben for his warmth, good humor and utmost professionalism,’ it said. ‘We wish Ben a quick recovery and call for utmost efforts to protect journalists who are providing an invaluable service through their coverage in Ukraine.’