A member of the UK armed forces who died in Ukraine has been identified as Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.
On Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said the 28-year-old died in a “tragic accident” while watching Ukrainian forces test “a new defensive capability, far from the front lines.”
Paying tribute to the paratrooper in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “His life was full of courage and determination.
“He served our country with honor and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
Starmer said he had registered his name in the Commons “to express our gratitude and respect, and to affirm that his service will never be forgotten”.
Defense Secretary John Healey shared his condolences with the family and colleagues of L/Cpl Hooley.
He wrote in 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 that the incident is not believed to have been caused by hostile fire. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has been contacted for comment.
It is not known what L/Cpl Hooley’s role was. in the country. It is the first time that the presence of paratroopers in Ukraine has been confirmed.
The UK government has never revealed the number of military personnel in Ukraine, but has previously acknowledged that a small number are there to support the Ukrainian armed forces and provide security for diplomatic staff.
The Parachute Regiment is an airborne infantry regiment of the British Army.
It has not been confirmed which battalion L/Cpl Hooley served in. 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 that the death of a military member in the United Kingdom 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 Catterick Infantry Training Center in North Yorkshire, he said in a statement on social media.
Starmer told the Commons he had met Ukrainian President Zelensky in Downing Street on Monday, along with French 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 towards a just and lasting peace.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, also speaking in the Commons, said: “The thoughts of the entire House will rightly be with the family of Corporal Hooley, who tragically died supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom.”
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
A series of talks to end the war have been held in recent weeks, following interventions by US President Donald Trump and a number of European leaders.
