Yorkshireman believed to be first Briton to die fighting for Russia against Ukraine
Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old British man, is believed to be the first UK citizen killed while fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine. Townsend had joined Russian separatist forces in the Donbas region and was reportedly killed by a drone strike in June.
Why it matters
The death highlights the involvement of foreign nationals in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the complex issues surrounding recruitment and radicalization.
Bradley Townsend, 33, is thought to have been killed by a remote-controlled drone. Photograph: Unpixs/YouTube Bradley Townsend, 33, is thought to have been killed by a remote-controlled drone. Photograph: Unpixs/YouTube UK news Yorkshireman believed to be first Briton to die fighting for Russia against Ukraine Bradley Townsend reportedly killed by a drone on 10 June in Donetsk region after joining up with separatists
Prefer the Guardian on Google A man from Yorkshire is believed to be the first British citizen to die fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old fisher from Barnsley, left Britain in April to join up with Russian separatists in eastern Donbas to aid in their invasion of Ukraine , despite having no previous combat experience or familiar ties to eastern Europe. Alongside 49-year-old Ben Stimson and 39-year-old Aiden Minnis, Townsend was granted Russian citizenship for joining the country’s military campaign.
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