Ukrainian President pens letter of condolence for Renaud family

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written a letter to the family of Arkansas journalist Brent Renaud who was killed covering the Russian invasion Sunday while working for The New York Times.

Zelenskyy posted the letter on Twitter Monday.

The letter begins with, "Dear Family of Brent Renaud."

"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.

Renaud was in a car when he was struck by Russian gunfire Sunday near Kyiv. Renaud, a Little Rock native, was a visiting professor at the University of Arkansas and an award winning documentary video journalist.

"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 travelled to the most dangerous war zones to film the unprecedented ruthlessness and evil, also inflicted upon our nation by the aggressor state," Zelenskyy wrote. "The people of Ukraine, who are fighting against the Russian regime to defend their Homeland and democracy in the world, are mourning with you."

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Renaud was a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Journalism Ethics at the University of Arkansas School of Journalism and Strategic Media. He has won awards for documentaries about gun and drug violence in Mexico before covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine for the New York Times.

"We are thankful to Brent for his professionalism and commitment to the values of compassion, ethics and justice," 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 the forces of darkness."