A Fox News cameraman and Ukrainian producer were killed by attackers in Ukraine in an incident that also wounded a British journalist working for the US channel.
Ukrainian fixer Oleksandra ‘Sasha’ Kuvshynova and seasoned war photographer Pierre Zakrzewski were killed in Horenka, outside of Kyiv on Monday when the vehicle they were in came under fire, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence confirmed.
Benjamin Hall, a British Fox News journalist who also had a long record of reporting from warzones, was injured in the same incident and remains in hospital, having lost part of his leg.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Zakrzewski and Ms Kuvshynova online. In a statement that initially failed to mention Ms Kuvshynova, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski.
“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.
“His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife Michelle and family. Please keep them all in your prayers. And please continue to pray for Benjamin Hall.”
NBC foreign correspondent Atia Abawi tweeted: “Please also pray for Oleksandra Kuvshynova’s loved ones. She was a young Ukrainian journalist sharing the story of her country’s invasion.
“Our friends who worked with her said she was vibrant & full of life. I can’t even imagine the pain her parents are going through right now.”
Fox News senior field producer Yonat Friling said: “In yesterday’s attack near Kyiv, we have lost a beautiful brave woman – Oleksandra Kuvshinova – Sasha. She loved music and she was funny and kind. she was 24 years old. She worked with our team for the past month and did a brilliant job. May her memory be a blessing.”
In a subsequent statement, Ms Scott acknowledged the death of Ms Kuvshynova.
She said: “Several of our correspondents and producers spent long days with her reporting the news and got to know her personally, describing her as hard-working, funny, kind and brave. Her dream was to connect people around the world and tell their stories and she fulfilled that through her journalism.”
Monday’s attack came one day after the death of award-winning journalist US Brent Renaud, who was shot dead by Russian forces near Irpin, west of Kyiv. Renaud was believed to be making a film about the plight of refugees in the country.
Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy said: “Devastating news of American deaths in Ukraine: journalist Brent Renaud and Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski.
“An entire nation grieves with their families. We also pray for the recovery of Fox News’ Benjamin Hall, who suffered serious injuries while covering the war.”
Earlier this month, Ukrainian journalist Yevhenii Sakun was killed when a TV transmission tower in Kyiv was struck by a Russian missile.
Days later, Sky News correspondent Stuart Ramsay was shot in the back as his crew was ambushed by Russian saboteurs, though he and his crew members all survived the attack.
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