A 23-year-old British man has been killed in action in Ukraine's Donetsk region, his family has confirmed. Ayrton Redfearn, from Devon, died on May 9 while serving with a specialist unit supporting the Ukrainian army.
Mother's Heartbreak
Mr. Redfearn's mother, Natasha, told the BBC that she had "lived in fear of the police coming to my door with bad news." She added: "This fear became reality on the evening of 11 May and the world of myself, and Ayrton’s 10-year-old brother, then fell apart."
Natasha described her son as having immense strength and courage, saying: "We are trying to have just 1% of the strength, bravery and courage of Ayrton, and if we can do this, it will help us to eventually come to terms with our life without him." She expressed gratitude for the tributes and support from those who knew him and from strangers.
Background of the Fallen
Mr. Redfearn joined a specialist unit supporting the Ukrainian army in 2025. As a child, he was a Torquay Air Cadet and joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 before traveling overseas. His decision to fight in Ukraine was driven by a sense of duty, according to his mother.
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated: "We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the Ukrainian authorities." The FCDO continues to warn British nationals against fighting in Ukraine, citing a high risk of maltreatment. Its website notes that British nationals have been killed or captured, and those undertaking humanitarian work have also been detained by Russian authorities.
