Krzysztof Gorzelak, Kielce-based (Poland) journalist and founder of the portal Nasze Kielce turned UAF volunteer, has been killed in action on May 30, reports Slawa TV, citing the Facebook group "The Folding Knife Opens – Kielce Satire Page" (Polish: Scyzoryk się otwiera – satyryczna strona Kielc).

Krzysztof was aged 45 and had enlisted in the Ukrainian Defense Forces in 2023.

The post says that Gorzelak's friends called him by the nickname Gorzki (“bitter” in Polish).

Krzysztof Gorzelak is described as a tireless truth-seeker who was not afraid to speak out about corruption in his home region, the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, at any level.

“He was a journalist the likes of which are very rare today. Unconquered, incorruptible, someone who sought the truth to the very end. He independently investigated abuses of office in Kielce, the powiat, and the voivodeship – even at the highest levels. For him, the truth was the greatest value. Sometimes he would live on water-based oatmeal only because he had no money, but still refused to accept advertising commissions from corrupt politicians. He refused help – he would only allow people to invite him for a coffee or KFC sometimes…” reads the Facebook post.

The administrators of the page added that Krzysztof would be buried in Ukraine. His mother, father, brother and daughter remain in Kielce.

The death of the former journalist was also reported on Facebook by MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska.

“Two years ago, he decided to leave, leaving everything behind, to stand on the side of freedom. His daughter is one of the people he left behind. His death is a painful reminder that this war still continues outside our borders. Krzysztof, rest in peace,” Małgorzata Gosiewska wrote.