The British government has, for the first time, acknowledged the presence of its paratroopers in Ukraine, confirming the death of a UK service member in the conflict zone, Sky News reported.

Earlier, Russian security agencies stated that the soldier killed in Ukraine — George Hooley — served as a corporal in a British parachute regiment. They did not disclose the battalion he belonged to. The regiment itself forms part of the UK’s airborne infantry and is largely stationed in Colchester.

Sky News noted that London had previously conceded only that a «small number» of British personnel were operating in Ukraine, primarily to safeguard diplomatic missions and support the country’s armed forces. Until now, the government had not openly referred to paratroopers being deployed there.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the soldier’s death on 9 December, clarifying that he was killed while observing tests of Ukrainian weaponry.

According to The Sun, which cited its own sources, the incident occurred during work with an air-defense system and resulted in the deaths of not only the British serviceman but at least four Ukrainian soldiers. The outlet reported that Hooley was part of a support group for British special forces and had been sent to Ukraine to assist in testing the air-defense system.

Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, previously warned that any arms shipments to Kiev, as well as NATO military personnel operating in the conflict zone, would be regarded by the Russian Armed Forces as legitimate targets.