First British citizen confirmed killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old fisher from Barnsley, is believed to be the first British citizen to die fighting for Russia in Ukraine. He was killed by a drone strike near Lyman, Donetsk oblast, on 10 June 2026. Townsend left Britain in April, telling family he was bound for Romania. He had no prior combat experience and was granted Russian citizenship for enlisting. His death was widely reported on 25 August, though unconfirmed reports had circulated since June.