Pierre Zakrzewski.Photo: Fox News
A cameraman for FOX news was killed in Ukraine Monday, the network confirmed.
Suzanne Scott, CEO of FOX News Media, confirmed the death of Pierre Zakrzewski in an email sent out to all FOX employees Tuesday, which was later shared with PEOPLE.
She continued, “Pierre was a war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for FOX News from Iran to Afghanistan to Syria during his tenure with us. His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched.
“Based in London, Pierre had been working in Ukraine since February,” she continued. “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.
Pierre Zakrzewski (left) in Ukraine.Fox News
Scott wrote, “He was profoundly committed to telling the story and 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 said that Zakrzewski also played “a key role in getting our Afghan freelance associates and their families out of the country after the U.S. withdrawal,” adding, “In December at our annual employee Spotlight Awards, Pierre was given the ‘Unsung Hero’ award in recognition of his invaluable work.”
She then quoted FOX News journalist Jay Wallace, who said of his late colleague, “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 a camera in hand. The legacy of his positive spirit, boundless energy and eye for the story will carry on.”
Scott also shared in her letter that Hall, the FOX war correspondent who had been with Zakrzewski Monday when he died, had survived, but “remains hospitalized in Ukraine.” She promised “further updates” on his condition “as needed.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Zakrzewski’s death comes as Russia’sattack on Ukrainecontinues. Russian forces launched a large-scale invasion on Feb. 24 — the first major land conflict in Europe in decades.
SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images
With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyycalled for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
