Bradley Townsend, 33, a fisherman from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, has become the first Briton reported killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine. He died in a drone strike near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine in June, according to reports.
Left UK in April to join Russian forces
Mr Townsend left the UK in April to fight alongside Putin’s armed forces. The Telegraph reported his death. The Government said it is “aware of reports” that a UK national had died in Ukraine and is “in contact with his family”.
In a video for the Russian International Volunteers Association on April 4, 2026, Mr Townsend described himself as a “normal working-class lad from Yorkshire” who chose to join Russia’s fight against Ukraine.
Tributes from fellow fighters
A fellow Briton fighting in Putin’s forces, Aiden Minnis, said Mr Townsend had “sacrificed his life for our cause”. In a social media tribute, Mr Minnis said: “Bradley Spencer Townsend, call sign ‘Badger’, our beloved comrade-in-arms went into the storm and fell on the battlefield near Liman [sic].
“He made the journey from Great Britain to Russia, he chose to walk in his grandfather’s footsteps and answered the call to fight fascism. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Bradley before he decided to sign his contract.
“We discussed the danger he would be facing, but he insisted that his mind was made up and he wanted to help the people of Russia defeat the Nazis. Ultimately, he sacrificed his life for our cause. His service was brief but he blazed the brightest star. Rest in Paradise brother. ‘To die a warrior in a Holy War is to live forever’.”
Background and family contact
In a previous social media post, Mr Townsend said: “I came with the idea that I probably wouldn’t be able to go home. I’d definitely get persecuted if I went back. I’m not here for a suicide mission, but I understand that’s what can happen. This was my own decision, I wasn’t pushed into anything.”
The Yorkshire fisherman, who had no military training, said in another post that he was in the Donbas to “repay the favour” after miners from the region gave up a month’s wages to Yorkshire miners during the 1980s strikes.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told the Mirror: “We are aware of reports that a British national has died in Ukraine and are in contact with his family. The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia, and our ability to provide consular support in these circumstances is severely limited.” They asked that the privacy of Bradley Townsend’s family be respected at this time.
