Russian troops shot Fox News journalists near Kiev

A Fox News cameraman was killed along with a Ukrainian colleague on March 14 in Ukraine when the car they were traveling in came under fire, reports Dailymail.

Photo: Shutterstock

Pierre Zakszewski, 55, an Irish citizen living in London, and Ukrainian journalist Alexandra "Sasha" Kuvshinova, 24, were covering Russia's war in Ukraine when their car was hit in Gorenka near Kiev.

The death of Kuvshinova was confirmed on March 15 in the afternoon by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Zakrzewski and Kuvshinova shared a car with 39-year-old British journalist Benjamin Hall, who also works for Fox News. He, too, was wounded in the attack.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share news this morning about our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott wrote in an email to employees on the morning of March 15. — Pierre was killed in Gorenka, near Kiev, Ukraine. Yesterday Pierre was with Benjamin Hall at a news gathering when their car came under fire."

Scott wrote in a memo that "more news to share with you when we can, on the condition of our Benjamin Hall" is expected.

Later on March 15 in the afternoon, Scott confirmed that Kuvshinova, who worked as a freelance consultant for the Fox News team in Ukraine, helping them navigate the city and communicate with sources, had also been killed in the attack.

“Working around the clock, she helped tell the world the story of Ukraine, and we are grateful to her for that,” Fox News host Martha McCallum said on air.

"Our correspondents and our producers say she was hardworking, funny, kind and brave, which is what one must be to do such a job," she said.

Fox News said the network delayed reporting her death out of respect for her family.

“We offer them our deepest condolences and gratitude for her work,” McCallum said. “And we ask you to think about her parents and pray for them as they grieve the loss of their little daughter.” Just 24 years old and she did a courageous job.”

On the subject: Famous American journalist and director died in Ukraine

Sasha Kuvshinova's dream was to bring people around the world together and tell their stories, and she made it happen through journalism, according to a note published by Scott. She was also interested in music, art and photography. The news team described her as hard-working, fun-loving, kind, and brave.

“Of course our prayers are with Pierre's family and the many others who lost loved ones during the war,” McCallum added. “We will miss him and are grateful for his outstanding work and the opportunity to work with him over the years.”

Fox News journalist Lucas Tomlinson shared a photo of himself with Pierre and Alexandra, also named Sasha, on social media as a tribute to his co-stars.

R.I.P. Pierre and Sasha. From our last correspondence:

I will effort to get as much of this on TV to help Ukrainians in every way possible. Keep smiling.
Pierre pic.twitter.com/StinVdSfFK

—Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) March 15, 2022

He said that the last message he received from Pierre read: “I will try to show as much of this on television as possible to help the Ukrainians in every possible way. Keep smiling. Pierre.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki spoke about Zakszewski's assassination at a March 15 press conference, stating, "He's someone who has served in many war zones for a long time. Our thoughts, our prayers are with his family as well as with the entire community."

Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin reacted to the news of Zakszewski's death, saying he was "deeply concerned and saddened by the killing of Irish citizen and journalist Pierre Zakszewski. I think of their families, friends and fellow journalists. We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war of Russia against Ukraine.”

Fox News also announced on March 14 that Hall, a British reporter who was with Zakszewski, was injured in the attack and remains in the hospital, but said they had few details.

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths of Pierre Zakszewski and Alexandra Kuvshinova in Ukraine while they were working with Fox News, and we hope that correspondent Benjamin Hall will recover from his injuries,” said Gulnoza, CPJ Program Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia.

“Reporting about this war is a vital public service, and in just a few weeks it has already claimed the lives of at least two other journalists. Ukrainian and Russian authorities must do everything possible to ensure the safety of all journalists and thoroughly investigate attacks on the press,” she added.

News of the March 14 attack came just after US reporter Brent Renault was killed on March 13 when Russian forces opened fire on his vehicle. During comments at a press conference in Washington on March 15, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova thanked the journalists in Ukraine.

“Risking your life to tell the world the truth is what Ukraine and the world desperately need,” she told the National Press Club.

“Pierre was a war zone operator. During his tenure with us, he covered almost every international story for Fox News, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria,” Scott wrote in a March 15 memo.

She added that Zakszewski has been working in Ukraine since February and is based in London. His nationality is not known. Zakszewski was described as a highly skilled cameraman whose "passion and journalistic talent were unparalleled".

“His talents were vast and there was not a role he wasn’t involved in to help in this field – from photographer to engineer, from editor to producer – and he did it all under tremendous pressure from the war effort with great skill.

He was deeply committed to telling this story, and his courage, professionalism and work ethic were renowned among journalists across all media. He was wildly popular—all the people in the media industry who covered foreign stories knew and respected Pierre,” Scott said.

Scott also added that Zakszewski played a key role in getting Fox Afghan freelancers and their families out of the country after the U.S. withdrawal. She said Zakszewski was honored with the "Unsung Hero" award at the annual Fox Spotlight Awards last December "in recognition of his invaluable work."

Zakszewski was on assignment with Benjamin Hall, a British journalist working for Fox News, who was seriously injured in a March 14 attack after shrapnel hit his legs.

Hall, 39, a married father of three from London who has been with the US network since 2015, was in intensive care at the hospital. In a memo, Scott told employees the company has a "minimum level of detail" and teams on the ground are working to learn more about what happened.

"Pierre Zakszewski was an absolute legend on this network and his loss is devastating," Fox News host Bill Hemmer said on air March 15.

“He was a professional, a journalist and a friend,” Hemmer added. “We here at Fox News want to express our deepest condolences to Pierre's wife, Michelle, and his entire family. Pierre Zakrzewski was only 55 years old and we already miss him.”

“I don’t know what to say,” wrote Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst. “Pierre was so good at everything.” Selfless. Brave. Passionate. I'm so sorry this happened to him."

Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent, tweeted on March 15 that she was "great honor" to work with Zakszewski and "an even greater honor to call him a friend."

“An extraordinary spirit and enormous talent, and one of the kindest and most gracious colleagues,” Ward wrote on Twitter. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”

Fox News weather reporter Max Gorden said: "My thoughts are with Pierre Zakszewski's family. By all accounts, Pierre was an incredible cameraman and a wonderful person. I wish safety to all teams risking their lives in Ukraine.”

And Fox security correspondent Jan Griffin added: "Such a lovely person. Such a good friend. Such a fantastic military operator and much more. Rest in peace, Pierre Zakszewski."

Zakszewski was familiar with war zones, having covered international events in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan for decades. Armed with a camera, Zakszewski and his team traveled through perilous mountain valleys and rode with military personnel in Hummers along rough trails along the deadly border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

They descended from helicopters to mountaintops and endured 110-degree heat in dusty, isolated outposts. “All this time under fire from a ruthless enemy,” wrote Palkot.

In Syria, Zakszewski and Palkot witnessed explosions turning cities into rubble and bodies thrown into mass graves.

Hall, a reporter who was with Zakszewski during the March 14 attack, is being treated for his injuries in intensive care.

“This is a stark reminder to all journalists who risk their lives every day to bring news from war zones. We will update everyone when we know more. Please keep Ben and his family in your prayers,” Scott said.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

“We know Ben for his warmth, good humor and utmost professionalism,” her post said. “We wish Ben a speedy recovery and urge that every effort be made to protect the journalists who provide an invaluable service covering events in Ukraine.”

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• On the night of February 24 began full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine.
• In the light of these events in Russia and around the world, protests against the invasion of Ukraine
• US and UK imposed broad economic sanctions against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.
• February 25 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table. Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin is ready to send a delegation to Minsk (Belarus) for negotiations with Kiev. He specified that the delegation will include representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidential administration.
• In the USA there were large-scale rallies in support of Ukraine.
• Pope Francis visits the Russian Embassy February 25, to personally "express his concerns about the war" in Ukraine, which made an unprecedented deviation from diplomatic protocol.
• European Union, USA and UK imposed sanctions and froze the assets of Putin and Lavrov.
• The United States declared its readiness to start accept refugees from Ukraine.
• February 26, the world famous and one of the most popular groups of hackers Anonymous recorded a video message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. They promised to find all "skeletons in the closet" and "leave no stone unturned".
• As it became known, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Sean Penn is located in Ukraine and is making a documentary for Vice about events in the country.
• February 28 The world's largest aircraft An-225 was destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it caused alarm and sadness among the aviation world, in which it occupies an almost cult status.
• On the same day, the United States and France called on their citizens immediately consider leaving Russia.
• From the very beginning of the invasion, many actions took place around the world in support of Ukraine. How it was in the USA, see our material.
• On March 1, the United States asked 12 Russian diplomats from the United Nations leave the US accusing them of "espionage activities" as Russia continues its advance into Ukraine.
• March 2 Russian businessman Alex Konanykhin offered a $1 million reward for dead or alive Putin.
• Airbus and Boeing refused to work with Russia, this endangers almost the entire civil aviation of the country.
• March 3 CEO and founder of the Russian TV channel "Rain" announced the suspension of the channel. This is due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Which of the Hollywood stars supported Ukraine, and who was on the side of Russia, read here.
• What Russians living in Ukraine say about the war, you can find out in our material.
• Which companies left Russia and how it hit the economy, read on link.
• Where citizens of Ukraine can receive special services in Poland - by link.
• The US State Department has warned citizens of Ukraine that the US Mission in Ukraine does not currently offer visa services. That's it services provided in Germany.
• Meanwhile, the killers tried to kill the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky at least three times since Russia invaded his country on February 24.
• In Russia, the situation with free media is becoming more and more difficult. Even relatives of Ukrainians from Russia do not believe in shelling of Ukraine.
• Russian diplomats announced persona non grata, left the US, and the Russian airlines stop international flights.
• Meanwhile at the International Court of Justice in The Hague began consideration of the claim of Ukraine to Russia. The subject of the lawsuit is allegations of genocide.
• Russia began active preparations for shutdown from the global internet.
• Thousands of Ukrainians are leaving the country. 11-year-old boy from Zaporozhye made it to the border with Slovakia and crossed it on foot.
• USA supports Ukraine: both government officials and ordinary Americans. 20 workers in West Coast ports refuse tohandle Russian cargo. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was awarded a medal Liberty Ronald Reagan. Tesla will continue to pay salaries to employees who decide to go to fight in Ukraine.
• In the meantime, the sanctions are taking effect: Russia is rapidly rising in price or disappearing from the sale of drugs and medical equipment manufactured by countries that have imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation because of the war in Ukraine. Down on the country iron curtain. The world is on the hunt on the assets of Russian oligarchs.
• Russia cannot establish a dialogue with the world - she threatens to leave from the Council of Europe and the OSCE.
• In order to further help Ukraine in its struggle against the aggressor, the Congress approved an emergency package of military and humanitarian assistance in the amount of $13,6 billion. Biden also wants take away trade privileges from Russia in relations with America.
• The United States also banned deliveries to Russia dollar bills and restricted access to cryptocurrencies, and world educational organizations will no longer recognize diplomas issued by Russian universities.
• Intelligence sources claim that Vladimir Putin suffering from a brain disorder caused by dementia, Parkinson's disease or "steroid rage".
• In the meantime, the war continues, the world is making predictions about the future developments. For example, the American philosopher, political scientist, political economist and writer Yoshihiro Francis Fukuyama spoke about what awaits Russia in the war against Ukraine. Mikhail Khodorkovsky spoke about the war, the chances for peace and the Stockholm syndrome of Russians.

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