The first serving member of the British armed forces has been killed in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale war.
He died on Tuesday following a “tragic accident” while watching the Ukrainian military test a new weapon away from the frontline, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
Hostile fire is not thought to have been involved.
The Sun newspaper reported that the serviceman was in the Special Forces. An MoD spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny the claim and the individual’s rank and service have not yet been revealed.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute to him.
“My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our Armed Forces who sadly lost their life today,” Sir Keir said.
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“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
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Mr Healey said he was “devastated by the death of a UK service person in Ukraine.
“My thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues as they grieve for a loved one. Our hearts go out to them.”
The UK has previously acknowledged the presence of a small number of service personnel in Ukraine who are helping the Ukrainian military, as well as providing security for the British ambassador and other diplomats at the embassy in Kyiv.
There are also British troops who have been giving medical training.
Dozens of former British troops, as well as foreign fighters from many other countries, have travelled to Ukraine to fight for the Ukrainian armed forces ever since Russia launched its full-scale war almost four years ago.
A number of them have been killed in battle.
But this is the first time a serving member of the military has died.
“It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK Armed Forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday 9 December,” the MoD said in a statement.
“He was injured in a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability, away from the front lines.”
It was not immediately clear whether the accident happened on the same day that he died. The location where it occurred has also not been confirmed.
The serviceman’s family has been notified.
Shines a light on UK military’s role
The death shines a rare light on the little-discussed work of the UK military inside the country.
Very little is said about the mission amid concerns that Russia could exploit the discrete UK presence to falsely claim that serving British soldiers are actively fighting against Russian troops.
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The first confirmed death of a serving member of the British armed forces confirms the significant risks they are taking.
But the Kremlin will also likely seize on the tragedy to amplify bogus claims about NATO forces already being deployed in Ukraine, fighting directly against Russia.
