Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a message to the family of an American journalist killed by Russian troops, saying Ukrainians are mourning with them.
“It is with deep sadness that I am writing to extend my heartfelt condolences to you on the tragic loss of your beloved son and brother, Brent Renaud,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He continued, “A talented and brave journalist, Brent lost his life while documenting human tragedy, devastation and suffering of the millions of Ukrainians. With all his courage and determination, he traveled to the most dangerous war zones to film the unprecedented ruthlessness and evil, also inflicted upon our nation by the aggressor state.”
Zelenskyy went on to tell the family the people of Ukraine “are mourning with you.”
He expressed his appreciation for Renaud’s “professionalism and commitment to the values of compassion, ethics and justice.”
Concluding his statement, Zelenskyy wrote, “May Brent’s life, service and sacrifice inspire generations of people all around the world to stand up in fight for the forces of light against forces of darkness.”
Read the statement below:
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Brent Renaud who lost his life while documenting the ruthlessness & evil inflicted upon 🇺🇦 people by Russia. May Brent’s life & sacrifice inspire the world to stand up in fight for the forces of light against forces of darkness. pic.twitter.com/bvQjM470OU
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 14, 2022
The New York Times reported Sunday Renaud was killed while reporting in a suburb of the capital, Kyiv. The outlet noted Renaud previously worked for HBO, NBC and the Times.
According to the Times, Renaud was on assignment for Time Studios to work on a project “focused on the global refugee crisis.”
Danielle Rhoades Ha, a spokeswoman for The Times, said, “We are deeply saddened to hear of Brent Renaud’s death. Brent was a talented filmmaker.”
Several others paid tribute to Renaud, as CNN reported. Christof Putzel, a friend and colleague of Renaud, told the outlet he “had this ability to go anywhere, get any story, listen and communicate what was happening to people that others wouldn’t otherwise see it. And it is a devastating loss to journalism today.”
