First British Volunteer Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

British media reported the death of a British citizen who was fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine, believed to be the first fatality of a British volunteer fighting alongside Russia.

On Monday, LBC News reported that Bradley Townsend (33) died on June 10 after a drone attack in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The BBC and other British media outlets also confirmed his death.

The UK Foreign Office stated it is aware of reports of a British national’s death in Ukraine and is in contact with the family, though it did not confirm his identity.

Townsend, from South Yorkshire in northern England, confirmed in a video interview published online in April that he had traveled to Russia to fight with its forces in Ukraine.

In a four-minute video posted on YouTube, Townsend said, "I'm not here for a suicide mission, but I realize this could happen," describing himself as an "ordinary young man from Yorkshire."

The interview was conducted by another British volunteer named Aidan Minnis, who shared it with a third British fighter fighting for Russia named Ben Stemson.

Both Minnis and Stemson, reported to have obtained Russian citizenship for their participation in fighting in the Donbas region, posted about Townsend’s death in June.

Minnis wrote on X on June 14: "My dear comrade Bradley Spencer Townsend (...) faced the battle and fell on the battlefield near Lyman," referring to the city located on the frontline in Donetsk.

Stemson, in a post published on Telegram on June 14, mentioned that news had reached them about Townsend’s death.

He said: "Brad was determined to go and fight. He simply wanted to leave his mark on the world, and stand on the right side of history."

Both Ukraine and Russia have recruited foreign fighters throughout the war, but documented cases of British nationals fighting for Russia remain rare.

Townsend left his home in the town of Barnsley in South Yorkshire in early April, telling his family he was heading to Romania, according to LBC, citing a friend.

Within weeks, he signed a contract to join the Russian army despite lacking military experience, according to social media posts, including messages on a Telegram account believed to be his own.