# 'Unbelievably stupid': UK man reportedly becomes first British national killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine

https://mins.news/en/item/31098

- The Kyiv Independent, 2026-08-25 00:22 UTC
- World
- Original: https://kyivindependent.com/unbelievably-stupid-uk-man-becomes-first-reported-british-national-to-die-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine/

> Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old British fisherman with no prior military experience, was reportedly killed by an FPV drone near Lyman in Donetsk Oblast on June 10, about two months after joining Russia’s military. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was aware of the reports and was in contact with his family. A Conservative MP called Townsend’s decision to enlist “unbelievably stupid.”

## Stories

- [Russia Ukraine War and European Support](https://mins.news/en/topic/russia-ukraine-war-european-support) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/russia-ukraine-war-european-support.md

## Related coverage

- [Yorkshireman becomes first known Briton killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine](https://mins.news/en/item/31850) — Meduza, 2026-08-25
- [Yorkshire man believed to be first Briton killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine](https://mins.news/en/item/31458) — The Guardian, 2026-08-25