Three journalists were killed in Russian shelling as they were covering the war in different locations of Ukraine in the last four days, international media reported.
Ukrainian producer and fixer Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, 24, and Fox News cameraperson Pierre Zakrzewski, 55, were both killed in Gorenka, outside Kyiv, in shelling on Monday, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Another journalist Brent Renaud was killed last Sunday. Renaud, the freelance journalist, was in Ukraine to cover the global refugee crisis for a documentary with Sugar23, Time Studios and Day Zero Productions.
Kuvshynova was working with Fox News as a consultant, the network has announced.
“She was incredibly talented and spent weeks working directly with our entire team there, operating around the clock to make sure the world knew what was happening in her country,” Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Zakrzewski was working alongside Fox News State Department correspondent Benjamin Hall “when incoming fire hit their vehicle outside of Kyiv” on Monday, the network said Tuesday. Zakrzewski had covered stories in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria for Fox News.
“Pierre Zakrzewski was an absolute legend at this network, and his loss is devastating,” the network said.
“The president of Fox, Jay Wallace, says that everyone always felt an extra sense of reassurance when they arrived on the scene and they saw that Pierre was there. He was a professional, he was a journalist and he was a friend,” Fox News PR said Tuesday.
“I condemn the killings of Oleksandra Kuvshynova and Pierre Zakrzewski. Journalists have a critical role in providing information during a conflict and should never be targeted,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said on Tuesday.
“I call for the respect of international humanitarian standards, to ensure that journalists and media workers are protected.”
Hall was hospitalized, according to Scott, who asked Monday to “please keep Ben and his family in your prayers.” Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby also confirmed he was injured.
Shaun Tandon, president of the State Department Correspondents’ Association, said in a Monday statement, “We know Ben for his warmth, good humor and utmost professionalism. 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.”
Earlier on Sunday, Journalist Brent Renaud was killed and it was confirmed by the US State Department. Renaud was in Ukraine to cover the global refugee crisis for a documentary with Sugar23, Time Studios and Day Zero Productions, according to Sugar23.
“As an award-winning filmmaker and journalist, Brent tackled the toughest stories around the world often alongside his brother Craig Renaud,” Time editor-in-chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal and president and COO of Time and Time Studios Ian Orefice said in a statement.
Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join.
FPK Android App for 2G. Click here to Download.