"London needs to honestly admit what George Hooley was doing there," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on 11/12, adding that the presence of British troops in Ukraine is not a secret.
The UK Ministry of Defense previously announced that Sergeant George Hooley, a member of the elite Parachute Regiment, died on 9/12 due to a "tragic accident" while observing a new weapon test by the Ukrainian army at a location far from the front line. This is considered the first regular British soldier to die while deployed in Ukraine.
 |
Ms. Zakharova at a press briefing in Moscow, Russia on 29/8. Photo: RIA Novosti |
Ms. Zakharova at a press briefing in Moscow, Russia on 29/8. Photo: RIA Novosti
According to spokesperson Zakharova, the British government "should not deceive its people" by claiming that soldiers deployed to Ukraine are merely advisors or trainers. She stated that Hooley is not the only British military personnel to have died in Ukraine, although this marks the first time London has publicly acknowledged such a case.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused British soldiers of assisting Ukraine in "carrying out terrorist attacks and extremist missions," emphasizing that Moscow will consider all foreign military forces in the country legitimate targets.
British officials have not commented on the statement.
The BBC, citing an unnamed source, revealed that the weapon being tested during the incident was an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) interceptor. The accident also reportedly killed two Ukrainian soldiers and injured several others.
 |
Soldier George Hooley in a photo published on 10/12. Photo: UK Ministry of Defense |
Soldier George Hooley in a photo published on 10/12. Photo: UK Ministry of Defense
Moscow has repeatedly accused NATO member countries of deploying soldiers to Ukraine to help the country plan and strike targets deep within Russian territory.
The UK previously confirmed that a small number of its soldiers are operating in Ukraine, but only to provide security for diplomatic missions and support the local military, not on the front line. London has not disclosed the specific number, but British media reports indicate about 100 military personnel are present in Ukraine.
Pham Giang (According to TASS, Reuters, BBC)
