A British soldier killed in Ukraine while observing tests of weapons by the Ukrainian armed forces has become the first member of the UK's regular forces to lose his life during the conflict, The Times reported, citing a source in the British Ministry of Defense.
The source specified that enemy fire was not the cause of death. “A source in the ministry said that the death occurred because something went “wrong“ during the testing of equipment. He added that there is always a risk when using ammunition or explosions, the article said.
The publication did not provide further details, including the location of the incident, the name of the deceased or the branch of the armed forces to which he belonged.
The UK Ministry of Defence had earlier said that the death occurred “during a tragic incident“ while watching Ukrainian forces test a new defensive weapon “away from the front line”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, members of the government and leaders of the main political parties expressed condolences over the soldier's death.
According to The Daily Telegraph, at least 40 British mercenaries have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict in 2022. No official information has been given on the number of regular British troops deployed in the country.
Earlier, the Russian Ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, told a TASS correspondent that the UK is perhaps more deeply involved in the conflict in Ukraine than any other NATO member state. He indicated that the presence of special forces, instructors and military specialists involved in the launches of long-range Storm Shadow missiles in Ukraine has been officially confirmed.