British national killed in Ukraine, government says

Deceased could be eighth British man to die in Russian invasion

A British national has died in Ukraine, the government has confirmed. The identity of the individual has not been disclosed, but his family have been informed.

The dead person is a man, according to the BBC, which would make him at least the eighth British male to die in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last February.

The Foreign Office has not confirmed any further details but a spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the local authorities.”

It comes after the government announced that a national one-minute silence will be held to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine next week.

Rishi Sunak is expected to lead the tribute to the “bravery and resilience” of the Ukrainian people which will be held at 11am on Friday 24 February.

In a statement, the prime minister said: “Russia’s unjustifiable attack brought war and destruction to our continent once again, and it has forced millions from their homes and devastated families across Ukraine and Russia.

“I am incredibly proud of the UK’s response, and throughout this past year, the UK public have shown their true generosity of spirit and their enduring belief in freedom.”

Bohdan, the deputy of commander of the unit in 79th Air Assault Brigade, fires an RPG towards Russian positions near the town of Marinka, Donetsk (Reuters)

In January, a pair of British aid workers were killed during an attempted humanitarian evacuation in eastern Ukraine. Andrew Bagshaw, 47, and Christopher Parry, 28, went missing near the town of Soledar in Donetsk.

British father-of-two Simon Lingard died on 7 November after travelling to fight in Ukraine. A crowdfunding page was set up to bring back the body of the 38-year-old from Blackburn to his family.

Jordan Gatley, 24, died in June after leaving the British Army in March. Scott Sibley, 36, died in late April, and was also a former member of the Armed Forces.

A Ukrainian serviceman walks with flowers and a balloon he bought for Valentines Day in Kramatorsk (AFP/Getty)

Craig Mackintosh, of Norfolk, was killed in August while volunteering as a medic, while Paul Urey, from Culceth near Warrington, died weeks earlier.

Five Britons, including Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, were released from Russian detention in Ukraine after a successful prisoner swap in September.

The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Ukraine.