Ukrainian photographer and soldier Kostiantyn Huzenko killed in action
Ukrainian photographer Kostiantyn Huzenko, a staff sergeant with the 35th Separate Marine Brigade, was killed in a Russian attack in Ukraine's east on 1 November.
Source: Ukraїner, a cultural media project presenting Ukraine to audiences at home and abroad; Bohdan Lohvynenko, founder of Ukraїner, journalist and serviceman
Details: Before the full-scale invasion, Kostiantyn was a documentary and art photographer, media producer and podcaster.
After 2022, he collaborated on the War Archive project, documenting the struggle of Ukrainians. He travelled to liberated towns and villages with a team from Ukraїner to record how the war had affected them.
In February 2024, Kostiantyn joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving in the communications unit of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade.
Ukraїner quotes him as saying: "Over time, being in the army became more important to me than being there for the army."
Kostiantyn was killed in a Russian attack in Ukraine's east on 1 November.
"Kostia, thank you for everything, thank you for being you. I can't believe you're gone," Lohvynenko said.
"We travelled together for shoots throughout 2022 and 2023 – South, East and North – in all those unsafe corners of our homeland. Kostia was never afraid to go anywhere."
Journalist and Radio Kultura presenter Zakhar Davydenko described Kostiantyn as a talented person "with a loving and professional eye" who "had the ability to see something special where it seemed there was nothing to see".
Photographer Olena Hrom wrote: "Another name added to the list that should not exist. Kostiantyn Huzenko. He looked at the world through a lens, and now his gaze is eternal. Memory and honour."
Journalist and serviceman Vlad Holovko urged everyone to share photos of Kostiantyn in his memory.
"This is a pain shared by dozens, if not hundreds, of people who knew him or crossed paths with him, however briefly. Kostia was wonderful – talented, sensitive, gentle and fragile, yet decisive and strong. He opened himself to the world, and the world was open to him. His death is an unspeakable loss for his loved ones and friends," he wrote.
Maksym Sytnikov, Executive Director of PEN Ukraine, also recalled experiences he had shared with Kostiantyn.
"I remember meeting you at the Pyriatyn railway station and our first Ukraїner expedition – how we slept on the same stove bench in a village house, and then you made the best coffee for the whole team and turned our breakfasts into truly hedonistic moments.
I remember running into you at events in Kyiv. I remember how much you photographed for PEN Ukraine. I remember – and I always will."
The date and place of Kostiantyn's funeral will be announced later.
Lohvynenko also shared a fundraising link to support Kostiantyn's parents.
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