Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
He left his home in April and was allegedly killed in the first half of June.
For the first time in the more than four years of war in Ukraine, a British national fighting for Russia has been confirmed dead, The Kyiv Independent reports.
Bradley Townsend left his home in Barnsley in April, telling relatives he was heading to Romania. Instead, the 33-year-old former fisherman traveled directly to Moscow.
LBC reported that Townsend connected online with pro-Russian British fighters who guided his journey to the front lines. He had no prior military training.
Shortly after arriving, he signed a contract to fight with Russian military forces operating in eastern Ukraine. He framed the move as a personal effort to repay a historic labor debt.
“I came with the idea that I probably wouldn’t be able to go home,” Townsend said in a Telegram video, as reported by the Yorkshire Post. “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.”
Fatal drone strike
Just ten weeks after leaving Britain, Townsend died on June 10 near the Donetsk town of Lyman during an offensive operation. A remote-controlled FPV drone killed him on the battlefield.
Pro-Russian social media accounts praised him as a fallen warrior. Back home in England, former classmates expressed shock, describing him as a vulnerable man who had been brainwashed and indoctrinated.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is in touch with his family. British officials issued stern warnings regarding citizens joining enemy forces.
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat told LBC that joining the Russian army was “an unbelievably stupid thing to do.” Defence Minister Luke Pollard added that anyone fighting for Russia stands against British national interests and faces consequences upon return.
A unique tragedy
While several British citizens have died helping Ukraine defend its territory, Townsend is the first UK national known to have died fighting on the Russian side since 2014.
A fellow fighter reportedly brought Townsend’s flat cap back to South Yorkshire to place it on Ilkley Moor.
