Lance Corporal George Hooley named as British armed forces member who died in Ukraine

It has been announced that the member of the UK armed forces who died in Ukraine was Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Defense said the 28-year-old was killed in a “tragic accident” while observing Ukrainian forces testing “a new defensive capability away from the front lines.”

Paying tribute to the paratrooper in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “His life was full of courage and determination.

“As part of the small number of British staff in Ukraine, he served our country with worldwide honor and distinction in the cause of freedom and democracy.”

The BBC understands the incident is not thought to have been caused by enemy fire.

It is unknown what L/Cpl Hooley’s role was in Ukraine.

The UK government has never confirmed the number of troops in Ukraine, but has previously acknowledged that a small number are in the country to support the armed forces and ensure the safety of diplomatic staff.

This is the first time the death of a soldier has been made public in the UK since February 2022.

Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Efforts to end the war have intensified in recent weeks following interventions by US President Donald Trump and a number of European leaders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Downing Street on Monday, where Sir Keir pledged the UK’s support to Kiev in securing a “fair and lasting ceasefire”.

The meeting was part of Zelensky’s push to dissuade the United States from supporting a peace deal that included major concessions from Kiev and that allies feared would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future invasion. Presenting alternative proposals to the White House.