AUGUST 16, 1966 — MARCH 14, 2022
55 YEARS, CAMERAMAN
Pierre Zakrzewski’s life tragically ended on March 14, when he was on a mission to expose the war in Ukraine as Fox News cameraman. Alongside Pierre, his colleague, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, was also killed. The journalists were killed by the Russian army in the village Horenka on the outskirts of Kyiv. They targeted the vehicle the reporters were in.
Throughout his career, Pierre worked in the war zones. He covered international military conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, the Middle East, between the DPRK and South Korea, in Ukraine. He took pictures of uprisings in Hong Kong, acts of terror in Paris, earthquakes in Asia, spent a lot of time on locations.
His passion for journalism was immense. He took on many roles to be useful in the field – from photographer to engineer, from editor to producer. Courage, professionalism, work ethic — it was Pierre’s wish that every reporter would be familiar with these traits.
He was born in Paris on August 16, 1966, two months prior to the scheduled date. His boundless energy was not going to be able to wait the full nine months, his family members said. He graduated from St. Conleth’s College in Ballsbridge and University College Dublin. Even as a teenager, Pierre refused to be constrained by traditional education. Instead, he chose to study world and politics through travel. His interest in photography got him into freelance journalism. He had appreciation for the lives of others, and always tried to see their point of view. He inspired others. He taught them to see a bigger picture.
Pierre had the nerves of steel to go through customs with his baggage filled with filming equipment. He knew he had to cover the news from the hot spots for the world audience no matter what. Pierre’s friend from school said Pierre had an innate ability to access through checkpoints in the most hostile parts of the world. It was due to his Irishness and cartons of stashed cigarettes, he thought.
Pierre was an altruist. He never turned down people who needed help. He helped numerous families escape the Taliban. He played crucial part in smuggling out the Afghan freelancers and their families when the Americans withdrew their troops from Afghanistan. In recognition of his effort, he was awarded with an «Unsung hero — 2021» award at the annual Media Spotlight Awards ceremony.
Pierre saw difficulties as opportunities, not obstacles. The journalist is survived by wife Michelle, mother Marie-Ange, sisters Zosia and Karola, brothers Stas, Greg and Nick. Symbols brought to the altar to represent his life were a toy motorbike to represent his adventure, a dried meat Saucisson Sec and a packet of Tayto crisps to represent his favorite food, a camera to represent his work, and a Rolling Stones book to represent his love of music.
Pierre was 55. He wanted to spread the sails of our land. To bring hope and light to the darkest corners of the world. He tried to bring down the thugs and tyrants, thus make the world a better place. Telling the truth is an expression of love, and love comes at a price. At times, a terrible price.
