Ex-Brit soldier, 39, missing feared dead in Ukraine as Zelensky gives nation’s thanks & vows ‘we will never forget’

A BRITISH soldier is feared to have been killed by Russian soldiers after going missing in Ukraine. Russian media have claimed Christopher Walker, 39, was killed in action while fighting against Vladimir Putin's forces. The former soldier from Salisbury, Wiltshire, had answered President Zelensky’s call for volunteers and was fighting with an international legion. The former Royal Artillery gunner spent seven years in the British Army before volunteering with Ukraine’s armed forces in 2023.

The brave soldier first fought in Ukraine's 17th Separate Brigade. Walker then joined the 16th Separate Brigade and fought in Zaporizhzhya. His unit then moved towards the city of Kramatorsk, where Walker is feared to have been killed by Putin's ruthless army. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesman told The Sun: “We are supporting the family of a British man missing in Ukraine and are in contact with the local authorities.”.

Russian social media accounts shared pictures of his passport and driving license which stated he lived in Salisbury, Wilts. Rodion Miroshnik from Moscow’s Foreign Ministry said Walker was killed by troops from Russia’s 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division in clashes in Luhansk province. It comes days after The Sun reported how British teen volunteer James Wilton was killed by a Russian drone in Ukraine.

In a heartfelt message to James’ heartbroken parents, President Zelensky said: “Thank you for bringing up such a man.”. He added: Your boy gave his life, the most precious thing he had. It’s a great sorrow and I want to know that we appreciate it so much. “We are so proud of such warriors. We will never forget it.”. James had flown from Manchester four months earlier aged just 17 to fight despite having no previous military experience.

He was killed in an explosion just minutes into his first mission. Another Brit died fighting against Russia after acting as "bait" to draw fire away from three Ukrainian troops during a frontline battle. Former Royal Welsh Fusilier Alexander Garms-Rizzi, 23, was fatally wounded by a Russian drone in the bloody “no man’s land” between the warring forces. His grieving best pal - a 28-year-old Finnish volunteer with the call sign “Finn” - told The Sun: “He was a born fighter and died how he would have wanted - with honour while helping others.”.

The deaths come as peace in Ukraine could only be weeks away. Donald Trump is set to reveal his long-awaited peace plan at the Munich Security Conference next week. But a "leaked" copy of the alleged plan has details that could be difficult for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders to accept. They include British and European troops guarding a demilitarised zone and borders frozen where the armies currently are.