Body found in search for missing ex-British soldier fighting in Ukraine

A body has been found in the search for a former British soldier who went missing while fighting in Ukraine. Ex-paratrooper Daniel Burke, 36, of south Manchester, was reported missing by his family on 16 August after he had travelled to join the fighting in 2022. Greater Manchester Police said on Saturday that officers were working with Mr Burke’s family and the Ukrainian authorities to identify the body found and to bring him back to the UK. Mr Burke’s mother Diane Sniath told the BBC that “this is the moment I have been dreading”. His family told the broadcaster that the body was found in Zaporizhzhia, which lies about 27 miles from the front line. Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes who is GMP’s Lead for Disaster Victim Identification said: “This is an upsetting time for Daniel’s family, we have family liaison officers in contact with the family and offering support. “My team and I are working with the Ukrainian authorities to make formal identification with a view to repatriating Daniel following that process. “Daniel’s family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.” Mr Burke, who previously served with the Parachute Regiment, told the BBC on 6 August that he planned to join a Ukrainian army unit to fight against Russian forces. In 2019 he spent eight months in prison accused of terror offences after going to Syria to fight with Kurdish militia against the Islamic State group. All the charges against him were dropped in 2020, the BBC reported. At least 10 other British men have died in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last February, according to the Foreign Office. Last week, tributes were paid to former Scots guard Jordan Chadwick, 31, from Burnley, who left the UK to travel to the country in early October 2022 to “support freedom”. And in August, Sam Newey, 22, died while serving on the front line in Eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, according to his brother, who said he was “proud” of his sibling. Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s forces suffer ‘significant losses’ as Kyiv vows more drone strikes Kim Jong-un shown Russia’s nuclear capable bombers and hypersonic missiles UK officially bans Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group as terrorist organisation Unesco adds two locations in war-ravaged Ukraine on its list of historic sites in danger American XL Bullies amnesty to come before ban as breed ‘linked to half of attacks’ How will American XL bully ban work and what happens if you own one? Russell Brand denies ‘very serious allegations’ related to ‘promiscuous’ past