Briton fighting for Russia killed in Ukraine

A British man, Bradley Townsend, has been killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The 33-year-old from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died in the eastern Donetsk region on June 10th, according to reports by LBC. This is believed to be the first British citizen to perish while fighting for Russia in the ongoing conflict. Townsend left his home earlier this year, telling his family he was going to Romania, according to the Yorkshire Post.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed they were aware of the reports and are in contact with his family. The news came as Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first foreign trip as leader, arriving in Kyiv on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union. The UK government has agreed to share blueprints for British-made components for the French-made Scalp missile, allowing Ukraine to produce it domestically.

In a video from April, Townsend, alongside Ben Stimson and Aiden Minnis, discussed his decision to leave the UK and fight for Russia. Townsend described himself as "a normal working-class lad from Yorkshire." He stated, "I came with the idea that I probably won't be able to go home, definitely get persecuted if I went back." Stimson and Minnis, both from the UK, are the first British nationals to fight for Russia since Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Townsend's death was announced by Stimson on social media, using Townsend's call sign "Badger." The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia and warns that traveling to Ukraine to fight or assist others in the war may amount to offenses under UK law, potentially leading to prosecution upon return.