Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall on Thursday marked two years since the March 2022 attack that left him critically injured and killed two of his beloved co-workers, paying tribute to them and giving them a “second chance” at life. ” conveyed a positive message.
Exactly two years ago, Hall was traveling with photojournalist Pierre Zakushevsky and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshinova when their car was hit by Russian military fire in the Kyiv suburb of Holenka. Zakrzewskiy, Kuvshinova and two Ukrainian soldiers were killed. Mr. Hall, the sole survivor, has undergone approximately 30 surgeries after sustaining horrific injuries that left him with the loss of his right leg and left foot, as well as the thumb of his left hand and vision in his left eye.
“Today is an interesting day for me. I talk to many veterans who were injured just like me and they call this the day they lived. I have a second chance at life. It’s the day you realize, “You can go and do something great, don’t waste a second and make the most of it,” Hall said Thursday on “FOX & Friends.”
FOX News’ Benjamin Hall urges viewers to ‘never give up’ in emotional return to live broadcasts
The vehicle carrying Pierre Zakushevsky, Benjamin Hall, and Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshinova came under fire while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Hall was the only survivor. (Fox News)
“So, I feel very optimistic about that, but then the most important part of today is remembering the people who didn’t come back,” Hall added. “Now more than ever, I look at it and remember them, and all we have to do is remember the work they were doing, the work they were passionate about. I think it’s just that: They brought the news and images to the audience because they thought it was really important.”
Throughout his recovery, Hall has spotlighted the importance of journalism.
“We will not stop. Our viewers need to know that. We will continue to report because that’s how important we feel. But today’s thoughts are with Pierre and Sasha , and it has to belong to their family,” Hall said.
Hall said his wife, Alicia, and three daughters have supported him through the tough two years, saying they are “doing very well.”
“There is not a single complaint in the world. This is a day to live for me and I truly feel that I have been given a second chance,” he said.
“I feel like one of the things we have to tell people is community, resilience, and getting through things together as a team,” Hall continued. “Sometimes in life you get knocked down, but I’m a perfect example of how you can get back up and make something out of it. You can keep moving forward.”
Hall said he spoke to Zakruszewski’s wife just before going on air.
“It’s a very difficult day for her, but Pierre was such a vibrant person,” Hall said. “He could walk into a room and he could talk to anyone.”
FOX News’ Benjamin Hall spotlights the importance of journalism in his inspiring speech
Hall interviewed Ukrainian President Zelenskiy in 2023 in an interview that aired on “Bret Baier Special Report.”
FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott sent a companywide memo paying tribute to Hall, Zakrzewski and Kuvsinova.
“Exactly two years ago today, our FOX News media family changed forever. While covering the war in Ukraine, our colleagues Ben Hall and Pierre Zakrzewskiy and Ukrainian journalist Olek “Sandra “Sasha” Kubshinova was hit by a Russian projectile. The attack killed Pierre and Sasha and left Ben with life-altering injuries,” Scott wrote.
“While we continue to mourn the loss of Pierre and Sasha, we are extremely grateful for Ben’s newfound strength and courage as he exemplified victory through tragedy,” Scott continued. “Within the past year, he has not only returned to work but also stepped up his journalistic efforts, returning to the battlefield, interviewing President Zelenskiy in Ukraine last fall, and more recently in Israel on October 7th. I spoke to survivors of the attack.”
Benjamin Hall surprises FOX News colleagues with inspiring words, six months after deadly Ukraine attack
Photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski was beloved by his colleagues at Fox News. (Fox News)
“I am honored to welcome Ben to our New York headquarters this week and share this difficult milestone with the FOX News media family on and off the air,” Scott said, expressing his condolences to his late colleague.
“Pierre was a dear friend and colleague to all of us. We will forever miss his wonderfully optimistic outlook on life and his unparalleled ability to connect with people around the world.” “Sasha’s dedication to telling the stories of her homeland was a true act of heroism, and the impact they had on the Fox News media and this industry will never be forgotten,” Scott wrote.
Hall chronicled his journey in Saved: A War Reporter’s Mission to Make it Home, a New York Times bestseller published last March.
Last year, Mr. Hall received the Kenneth Y. Tomlinson Award for Courageous Journalism at the 30th Annual American Research Foundation Journalism Awards Dinner in New York.
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