David Knowles, 32, dies: Remembering the journalist of Ukraine war podcast

David Knowles, a senior audio journalist and presenter for The Telegraph, passed away at the age of 32 in Gibraltar, reportedly due to a cardiac arrest. He joined The Telegraph in 2020, initially serving as deputy head of social media before becoming head of social media. His passion for journalism led him to launch the 'Ukraine: The Latest' podcast in February 2022, coinciding with the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The podcast quickly gained popularity, amassing nearly 100 million downloads and winning the Best News Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards in 2023. Knowles was deeply committed to covering the Ukraine war, making multiple trips to the country to gather firsthand accounts and stories from those affected by the conflict. His dedication to journalism was evident in his desire to return to a role that emphasized storytelling, which he achieved through the podcast. He became known as the voice of the podcast, engaging audiences with his reports on the impact of the war on ordinary Ukrainians. In addition to his work on the podcast, Knowles and his team participated in various speaking engagements, including events at the US embassy in London and the Chalke History Festival. His contributions to journalism were recognized by peers and institutions alike, including a tribute from the Ukrainian embassy in London, which expressed sorrow over his passing and acknowledged his commitment to truthful reporting. The loss of David Knowles is felt not only by his family and friends but also by the broader journalistic community and the audience that followed his work. His legacy will continue through the stories he shared and the impact he made in raising awareness about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.