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 Sir 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 a small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
Starmer said he had placed his name on record in the Commons “to express our gratitude and respect, and to affirm that his service will never be forgotten.”
Defence Secretary John Healey shared his condolences with L/Cpl Hooley’s family and colleagues.
He wrote, X: “He served our country with distinction. His tragic death reminds us of the courage and commitment with which our outstanding armed forces serve every day.”
The BBC understands the incident is not thought to have been caused by hostile fire. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.
It is not known what L/Cpl Hooley’s role was in the country. This is the first time the presence of paratroopers in Ukraine has been confirmed.
The UK government has never disclosed the number of service people in Ukraine but has previously acknowledged a small number are there to support Ukrainian armed forces and provide security to diplomatic personnel.
The Parachute Regiment is an airborne infantry regiment of the British Army.
It has not been confirmed in which battalion L/Cpl Hooley served. The first battalion is under the direction of special forces, while others are part of the army’s rapid response formation.
It is the first time a UK military death has been publicly announced since February 2022.
The Parachute Regiment said it was mourning the death of the 28-year-old, who joined the British Army in November 2015.
He joined the regiment in June 2016 after completing his training at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick in North Yorkshire, it said in a statement on social media.
Starmer told the Commons he had met Ukraine’s President Zelensky in Downing Street on Monday, alongside France’s President Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as efforts to negotiate an end to the war intensify.
“We must redouble our efforts,” he told the House.
“The UK, Europe and our allies will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, stand up to Putin’s aggression and work to deliver a just and lasting peace.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, also speaking in the Commons, said, “The thoughts of the whole House will rightly be with the family of Lance Corporal Hooley, who tragically died supporting Ukraine in her fight for freedom.”
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
A series of talks to bring the war to an end have taken place in recent weeks, following interventions from US President Donald Trump and a range of European leaders.
