Well, hello and welcome to Ukraine the latest, a podcast and Twitter space on the

war in Ukraine. My name is Dom Nichols and I'm joined here in the studio by

Francis Dernley and Charles Gere. Folks I've got some bad news. Our beautiful friend David Knowles died suddenly at the weekend. After a health emergency, sorry folks.

Now in due course there will be some form of book of condolences, but for now we're just feeling

our way through the day. We will of course let you know since we have anything in place.

But should you wish to offer any thoughts in the meantime today you can get in touch as usual with us on Ukraine pod at telegraph.co. UK.

There were no major battlefield or political events to speak of over the way

over the weekend that can't wait for a day.

So for now, our thoughts are with David's family and friends and you, the fantastic

listeners to this podcast whose engagement and

humanity amid such darkness brought him so much joy.

There are no words that can possibly convey the sense of loss that we all feel here and that many of you listening at home will feel

we know from your correspondence just how intimate it is

listening to a podcast every day. Many of you will do so whilst traveling to work,

making dinner, walking the dog, voices like David's become a part of your routine, a part of your life.

David was a dear friend to us, but he was also one to you. He was the soul of this podcast he was

the soul of this podcast he created it molded it and his empathy and

journalistic integrity are at the center of what we have always sought to do. His loss will be felt

around the world. What a legacy for someone only 32 years old. We know he would have wanted us to

broadcast today and we will continue to do so. As he always did when he was off, David scheduled an email on Friday, which only arrived

in our inboxes this morning in order to help us with the episode.

It was like he was watching over us, encouraging us to keep going, and we will.

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