The British soldier who died in Ukraine yesterday has been named as 28-year-old Lance Corporal George Hooley.
Hooley, a member of the Parachute Regiment, was injured in a “tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The incident occurred away from the frontlines on Saturday and is not assessed to be the result of enemy fire, The i Paper understands. Hooley died of his injuries on Tuesday.
No other British personnel were injured in the incident. It is not yet clear if any Ukrainians were hurt.
Defence sources said a small number of British personnel were in Ukraine to provide security for Britain’s diplomatic presence and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The only previously reported use of British forces in Ukraine were troops protecting embassy staff and medics working in rehab centres.
It has not yet been confirmed which “defensive capability” Hooley was observing at the time of the incident.
The UK has provided Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles and earlier this year sent Gravehawk missiles, which have been “rapidly developed to meet Ukrainian needs” and part-funded by Denmark.
The British-manufactured Terrahawk Paladin short-range air defence system has also been used in Ukraine.
The Parachute Regiment is an elite airborne infantry regiment.
Its 1st Battalion, 1 PARA, works as the Special Forces Support Group and is permanently under the command of the Director Special Forces.
A Lance Corporal is a non-commissioned officer who commands and administers a team of around four people. It is the rank above Private, the lowest in the soldier structure.
They are often responsible for large weapons, the Army says.
At least 45 British civilians have reportedly died in Ukraine after volunteering to support their armed forces.
However, this is the first time a serving British soldier has been killed in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Keir Starmer paid tribute to Hooley at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, saying: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the frontlines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.
“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
More than 60,000 Ukrainians have been trained in the UK as part of Operation Interflex, which ranges from six weeks of basic training to turn civilians into soldiers, up to programmes developing leaders and instructors.
