Barney Davis
Published December 9, 2025 5:31pm
Updated December 9, 2025 7:37pm
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The British member of the armed forces was killed on Ukrainian soil (Picture: Getty)
A member of the British army has died in a ‘tragic accident’ as he observed a Ukrainian weapons test of a new defensive capability.
The member of the armed forces was watching his Ukrainian counterparts test the new technology away from the front lines on Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Sir Keir Starmer wrote on social media: ‘My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our armed forces who sadly lost their life today.
‘Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.’
It read: ‘It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9.
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‘He was injured in a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines.
‘The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.’
Defence Secretary John Healey said he was devastated by the death (Picture: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
The MOD refused to say what role the person killed was undertaking. British special forces have been in Ukraine training soldiers to resist Putin’s advances.
According to The Times, the victim was killed as a result of something going ‘wrong’ during an equipment trial.
The source said there was always a risk when live ammunition or explosions were involved.
In a post on X, the Defence Secretary John Healey said:’ Devastated by the death of a UK service person in Ukraine.
‘My thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues as they grieve for a loved one. Our hearts go out to them.’
More than a dozen British citizens have been killed in combat since the Russian invasion but this is thought to be the first British armed forces death confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
The UK has previously acknowledged that a ‘small number’ of military personnel are in the country, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
The fatal ‘accident’ is not assessed as being the result of enemy fire, according to BBC.
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Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said he was ‘deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that a member of the UK armed forces died this morning in Ukraine’.
‘My sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.’
It came as Downing Street said nobody wants peace in Ukraine more than Volodymyr Zelensky and rejected Donald Trump’s criticism of Europe’s failure to ‘produce’ a peace plan.
The official said: ‘We welcome significant US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. Nobody wants (that) more than President Zelensky.’
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