Brit soldier killed in Ukraine ‘accident’ while watching local troops train with new weapons away from front line
A BRITISH soldier has been killed in a “tragic accident” while watching local troops train with new weapons in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The MoD announced the sad news on its official social media channels today.
The man’s family have been notified after the “tragic accident” which occurred away from the frontlines, according to the MoD.
The full statement said: “It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9.
“He was injured in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines.
“The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.”
The MoD did not disclose if he had served in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.
Some roles are span all three services and are led by separate commands.
The only declared deployments of British forces in Ukraine are a small number of troops to protect the embassy and medics supporting rehab centres.
Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to a member of the British armed forces who has been killed in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the services member.
In a tribute shared on social media, Sir Keir said: “My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our armed forces who sadly lost their life today.
“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated by the death” and his thoughts were with their “family, friends and colleagues as they grieve”.
At least 45 Brits have been killed in the war, including former soldiers, who had volunteered to defend Ukraine.
It is not known how many British troops are in Ukraine training troops to fight against Vladimir Putin’s invasion, but a leaked American military document suggested 50 members of the UK’s special forces were on the ground in 2023.
As of September this year, at least 40 Britons have died fighting for Ukraine.
It comes after Russian leader Putin declared he was prepared to go to war with Europe if peace talks in Ukraine failed.
This is despite the fact Russia has lost more than one million troops, either wounded or killed, during its invasion of Ukraine and the country’s economy is about to go into recession.
Military experts believe it might take up to five years for Russia to build up its armed forces before Putin could invade another country.
But figures obtained by The Sun on Sunday revealed that our government must invest billions more in defence if the UK is to have a chance in any future conflict.
Last week the Royal Navy revealed only 50 per cent of its fleet was at high readiness and was ready for operations.
Army troop numbers are at a historic low and the RAF has less than a third of the combat aircraft it had the last time Britain was preparing for a war with Russia.
The nature of modern conflict is changing rapidly and drones are now playing a major role in Ukraine.
In the past two years, Ukraine has launched around seven million drones against Russian forces.
The UK has an arsenal of around 4,000, which, if used at the same rate as the Ukrainian forces, would last less than 24 hours.