Armed forces member who died in Ukraine named

A member of the UK armed forces who died in Ukraine has been named as Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.

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

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

“He 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.”

It is the first time a UK military death has been publicly announced since February 2022.

The UK government has never confirmed the number of service people in Ukraine, but has previously acknowledged a small number is in that country to support armed forces there and provide security to diplomatic personnel.

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

Efforts to bring the war to an end have intensified in recent weeks, following interventions from US President Donald Trump and a range of European leaders.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Downing Street on Monday where Sir Keir pledged the UK’s support for Kyiv in achieving “a just and lasting ceasefire”.

The meeting was part of a push by Zelensky to deter the US from backing a peace deal which includes major concessions from Kyiv, and which allies fear would leave it vulnerable to future invasion, with Ukraine set to present alternative proposals to the White House.