'Unbelievably stupid' — UK man becomes first reported British national to die fighting for Russia in Ukraine
Bradley Townsend, 33, was reportedly killed by an FPV drone in Donetsk Oblast two months after he joined the Russian military.
A 33-year-old British fisherman named Bradley Townsend has become the first reported British national to lose his life while fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine, according to recent reports. Bradley, described as a normal, working-class man from Yorkshire, departed the United Kingdom two months prior to his death, informing his family he was heading to Romania.
Possessing no prior military training or experience, Townsend enlisted in the Russian military and was reportedly killed on June 10 by an FPV (first-person-view) drone outside the town of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) acknowledged reports of a British national's demise in Ukraine and stated they were in communication with the family of the deceased. Bradley expressed his motivations in a social media video, acknowledging the possibility of not returning home and warning that persecution awaited him upon his return to the UK.
He clarified that he was not seeking a suicide mission but understood that such outcomes could transpire, emphasizing that his decision was his own and not coerced.
Conservative UK MP Tom Tugendhat labeled Bradley's decision to join the Russian army as "unbelievably stupid." This marks the first instance of a British citizen losing their life while supporting occupying Russian forces in the ongoing war. The news of Bradley's death arrives during UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's inaugural visit to Ukraine, aimed at commemorating the nation's 35th Independence Day.
Additionally, the UK announced a significant agreement with Ukraine to develop new AI military systems and to share blueprints for its Storm Shadow missiles with Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
