British national Bradley Townsend killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old former fisherman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has reportedly become the first British citizen to die while fighting for the Russian armed forces in Ukraine. Townsend joined the Russian military in April without prior combat experience, describing himself as a “working-class lad” who sympathized with Russian separatists.

Townsend was killed by a drone on June 10 in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Before his departure, he told his family he was traveling to Romania and expressed awareness that he might not return or could face prosecution in the UK. In a video posted earlier this year, he cited opposition to Western military aid to Ukraine as a motivation for his decision.

The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is aware of reports regarding the death of a British national in Ukraine and is in contact with the family. Other British nationals, including Aiden Minnis and Ben Stimson, were reportedly present with him during his service.