The courageous final hours of a British humanitarian volunteer, who fell into the hands of Russian-backed forces in Ukraine, have been revealed by his grieving mother in a powerful and emotional account.
Paul Urey, a 45-year-old from Culcheth in Warrington, was captured at a checkpoint in April 2022 while attempting to rescue a Ukrainian woman and her children from a conflict zone. His mother, Linda Urey, has now shared the devastating details of his last days, pieced together from fellow detainees and a former British soldier who was held alongside him.
A Desperate Rescue Mission
Driven by a profound desire to help, Paul travelled to Ukraine to assist civilians caught in the crossfire. His mission was one of pure compassion, but it ended in tragedy when he was apprehended by soldiers of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
According to accounts from other prisoners, Paul was subjected to brutal treatment in captivity. Fellow detainee John Harding reported that Paul was severely beaten and denied the vital insulin he needed for his diabetes. His health rapidly deteriorated.
A Mother's Unwavering Fight for Answers
For his mother Linda, the ordeal was a torturous wait for information. She described the moment two officials arrived at her door to deliver the news no parent should ever hear. She is now channelling her grief into a fierce campaign for justice, demanding a formal investigation into whether her son's death could have been prevented.
"They tortured him," Linda stated unequivocally. "They didn't give him his insulin. He was a type-one diabetic... they killed him." Her fight is not just for her son, but to highlight the risks faced by all British nationals volunteering in Ukraine.
A Warning and a Legacy
The UK Foreign Office has consistently advised against all travel to Ukraine, emphasising the extreme dangers. Paul’s story is a sombre reminder of the grim realities of the conflict and the immense perils faced by humanitarian workers.
His legacy, however, is one of incredible bravery and selflessness. Paul Urey travelled into a warzone not as a soldier, but as a helper, and his story stands as a testament to the best of the human spirit amidst the worst of circumstances.
