South Yorkshire man killed in Ukraine fighting FOR Russia
Bradley Townsend was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike earlier this year
Last updated 24th Aug 2026
The Foreign Office says it is in contact with the family of a South Yorkshire man, who was killed in Ukraine earlier this year fighting on behalf of Russia.
Bradley Townsend, who was in his 30s and from Barnsley, reportedly left the UK several months ago to join the Russian armed forces.
He featured in several propaganda videos alongside other pro-Moscow Brits.
Reports suggest he was killed in June during an assault near Lyman, in Ukraine's occupied Donetsk region, by a Ukranian FPV (first person view) drone.
It makes him the first known British national to die while in Russian uniform. Several British volunteer fighters have been killed after joining the Ukrainian side.
In a statement a spokesperson for the Foreign Office wrote: "We are aware of reports that a British national has died in Ukraine and are in contact with his family."
"We ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time."
The UK government curreently advises against all travel to Russia and a large part of Ukraine, as Russia's full-scale invasion launched in 2022 continues.
Andy Burnham has been in Kyiv today, as Ukraine marks its Independence Day.
The Prime Minister has pledged to hand over blueprints for Storm Shadow cruise missiles to the Ukrainian Army, a move which has drawn condemnation from Moscow.