The UK armed forces member who died in Ukraine yesterday has been named by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as 28-year-old Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.
He died on Tuesday following a “tragic accident” while watching the Ukrainian military test a new weapon away from the frontline, the MoD said.
The ministry said its “thoughts are with Lance Corporal Hooley’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time”.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Keir Starmer sent his “deepest sympathy and condolences” to the victim’s family.
Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once
The prime minister said George Hooley had “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”.
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 presence of paratroopers in Ukraine has not previously been disclosed by the Government.
The Parachute Regiment is an airborne infantry regiment of the British Army, primarily based at Merville Barracks in Colchester.
It has not been disclosed which battalion of the Parachute Regiment LCpl Hooley served in.
The 1st Battalion is under the direction of Special Forces while other battalions are part of the British Army’s rapid response formation.
It is understood the “tragic accident” happened on Tuesday morning when LCpl Hooley was with Ukrainian military counterparts.
The naming of the soldier comes the day before a remote meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing.
The call follows meetings between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of the E3 (Germany, France and Britain) for talks on the revised peace plan for Ukraine in Downing Street on Monday.
