Photographer of Ukraїner and marine Kostyantyn Huzenko killed on the front line

28-year-old Ukrainian photographer and marine Kostyantyn Huzenko was killed on the front line on November 2. The artist photographed events of the full-scale invasion before joining the military.

This was reported by Ukrainian journalist and defender Vlad Holovko.

«Kostya is gone. This is a pain shared by dozens, if not hundreds of people who knew him or briefly crossed paths with him.

Kostya was wonderful — talented, sensitive, gentle, and fragile, yet at the same time determined and strong. He opened himself to the world, and the world was open to him. His death is an unspeakable loss for his family and loved ones.

Kostya was killed by the cursed Russians, they took him from us, but they will never destroy the memory of him», — Holovko wrote.

Photo: Facebook Vlad Holovko

Photo: Author of the photo Valentyn Kuzan/Facebook Zakhar Davydenko

The death of the defender was also reported by journalist Bohdan Lohvynenko, with whom Kostyantyn worked at the publication Ukraїner.

«We met Kostya in 2020 when he joined Ukraїner as a photographer. We traveled together the most for shoots in 2022 and 2023. We were together in the South, the East, and the North. In all the not-so-safe corners of our country, Kostya was never afraid to go anywhere.

Then he joined the Marines himself. After that, we only saw each other a few times; Kostya would drop by when he was in Kyiv. Yesterday, Kostya was killed», — Lohvynenko shared.

Photo: Facebook Bohdan Logvynenko

Employees of PEN Ukraine also spoke about the fallen Kostyantyn, noting that Huzenko took many great photos of the organization’s events.

«I remember our meeting at the station in Pyryatyn and our first Ukrainer expedition. How we slept on the same stove in a village house, and then you made the best coffee for the whole team and turned our breakfasts into the most hedonistic experiences. I remember our chance encounters at various events in Kyiv. I remember how much you photographed for PEN Ukraine. I remember and will always remember…», — wrote Maksym Sytnykov.

Photo: Facebook Kostyantyn Huzenko

Ukrainian photographer Heorhiy Ivanchenko, who lost a limb and nearly died on October 3 due to an enemy drone attack on journalists near Druzhkivka, also reacted to the news of the death.

«Today marks exactly one month since Antoni was killed. Yesterday, Kostya was killed by the Russians. Phew. It’s hard to even write anything; this month has been tough. I still can’t comprehend what’s happening. It feels like Kostyan just went somewhere to the mountains, to a wooden house, and is picking apples in the garden. My condolences to all his family and loved ones. This is a difficult trial we have to endure», — Heorhiy shared.

Photo: Facebook Ivanchenko George

In February 2024, Kostyantyn Huzenko was mobilized to the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhaylo Ostrohradskyi.

Before that, the fallen defender worked as a photographer for several Ukrainian publications and was also a podcast producer. Kostyantyn was the author of photo reports from deoccupied and frontline territories.