Tributes to Irish cameraman killed in Ukraine while working with Fox News

Screengrab taken from Fox News of Pierre Zakrzewski (left) along with correspondent Steve Harrigan and senior field producers Yonat Frilling and Ibrahim Hazboun in Kyiv. Picture: FOX News/PA Wire

Tributes have been paid to an Irish photographer and cameraman who was killed in Ukraine after the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by incoming fire.

Pierre Zakrzewski, who had been working for Fox News, had been travelling with reporter Benjamin Hall when the incident occurred, the US broadcaster said. 

Mr Hall has been in hospital since the incident which took place on Monday, as the pair were newsgathering in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, the network said.

Ukrainian officials and Fox News reporters confirmed that producer and local journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova was also killed in the attack.

Mr Zakrzewski and Ms Kuvshynova died “as a result of artillery shelling by Russian troops in the north-eastern part of the village of Gorenka”, Ukrainian website kp.ua said.

As a war photographer, Mr Zakrzewski had covered conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria for Fox, according to a memo sent to Fox employees by Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media.

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski," she said.

“His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched,” Ms Scott said.

Screengrab taken from Fox News of Pierre Zakrzewski (right) who was killed while reporting in Ukraine. Picture: FOX News/PA Wire

Fox News president and executive editor Jay Wallace added: "Pierre was a constant in all of our international coverage. 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."

Last year, Mr Zakrzewski played a key role in getting Fox’s freelancers and their families out of Afghanistan after the US withdrawal, Ms Scott said.

Mr Zakrzewski was given an “unsung hero” award at an annual employee event.

The President has led the tributes to Mr Zakrzewski and he also condemned the attacks on civilians. 

President Micheal D Higgins offered his "deepest sympathies" to his family.

"The indiscriminate killing of civilians, including journalists, must be brought to an end," said a statement.

Deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing of Irish citizen and journalist Pierre Zakrzewski and one of his colleagues today.

My thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow journalists.

We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war by Russia on #Ukraine.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 15, 2022

Speaking from the US, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "Our deepest sympathies go to the family of Pierre Zakrzewski, particularly his family back in Dublin. He was reared for 30 years in Dublin. 

"It's an appalling killing, illustrating again the indiscriminate and barbaric nature of the Russian attack on the citizens of Ukraine, and also things with a very sharp focus the enormous risks that journalists are taking, in terms of shining a light on this barbaric war. 

Without journalists and without cameramen, and without their bravery, we would not know what we now know in terms of how this war is being waged on people. 

"It's a very, very sad day for his family for Fox News."

He added: "To me, the nature of this war continues to shock, but our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the family at this moment."

He also met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Makarova at the unveiling of a statue of John Hume in the Irish Ambassador's residence.

"We think very deeply about the plight that your people are under at the moment because of the barbaric and immoral war waged upon your people by the Russian Federation," he said, addressing the Ambassador in his speech.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs also paid tribute to Mr Zakrzewski, saying the Department were in contact with his family and providing consular assistance.

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.”

Brent Renaud, a documentary filmmaker and another veteran of covering war zones, died on Sunday after Russian forces opened fire on his vehicle.

Mr Zakrzewski's former school, St Conleth's College, acknowledged his "tragic passing" with "great sadness".

In a social media post, the school said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."