August 25, 2026
The FCDO Has Confirmed the Death of the First British National Killed While Fighting for Russia.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was aware that a British national had died in Ukraine while fighting for Russia and said it was in contact with the man's family. BBC reported the death of Bradley Townsend, 33, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, believed to be the first British citizen to die while fighting for Russia in the conflict.
Townsend was killed on June 10 in an FPV drone attack in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. He left his home in April, reportedly telling his family he was going to Romania. In a video posted to a Russian propaganda account in April alongside two other British nationals already fighting for Russia, he described himself as "a normal working-class lad from Yorkshire" and said he understood he "probably won't be able to go home."
See also: The New Comintern: How Russia exploits fake communism narratives to lure people into its army
Killed Near Liman
On June 14, Minnis announced Townsend's death on social media under his call sign "Badger": "Bradley Spencer Townsend, call sign 'Badger', our beloved comrade-in-arms went into the storm and fell on the battlefield near Liman." Townsend had died four days earlier, on June 10.
The FCDO confirmed the death without elaborating on circumstances, noting that "our ability to provide consular support in these circumstances is severely limited."
The Legal Position
The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia. Its foreign travel advice for Ukraine states that travelling to Ukraine to fight or to assist others engaged in the war "may amount to offences under UK legislation" and that "you could be prosecuted on your return to the UK."
Townsend's own words in April indicated he was aware he would likely not return home.