A member of the British army has died in a ‘tragic accident’ as he observed a Ukrainian weapons test of a new defensive capability.
The ‘tragic accident’ happened on Tuesday morning when a member of the armed forces was watching his Ukrainian counterparts test the new technology away from the front lines, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
It read: ‘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 whilst 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.’
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The details are still emerging, it’s not yet public whether that person was deployed as a combat soldier, or as an instructor or support staff.
In a post on X, the Defence Secretary John Healey said:’ 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.’
More than a dozen British citizens have been killed in combat since the Russian invasion but this is the first British armed forces death confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
The UK has previously acknowledged that a ‘small number’ of military personnel are in the country, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
The fatal incident is not assessed as being the result of enemy fire, according to reports.
It came as Downing Street said nobody wants peace in Ukraine more than Volodymyr Zelensky and rejected Donald Trump’s criticism of Europe’s failure to ‘produce’a peace plan with ‘the war just going on and on’.
A No 10 spokesman said: ‘I would reject that in terms of, you’ve seen the number of countries involved in the coalition of the willing discussions, you’ve also seen the work the UK has done in terms of leading the response on sanctions, including against the shadow fleet, but we strongly support the US peace process.’
The official also said: ‘We welcome significant US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. Nobody wants (that) more than President Zelensky.’
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