A 23-year-old British man, Ayrton Redfearn, has been killed in action in Ukraine's Donetsk region, his family has confirmed. He died on 9 May while serving in a specialist unit supporting the Ukrainian army.
Family's Heartbreak
Mr Redfearn, originally from Devon, joined the unit in 2025. His mother, Natasha, told the BBC she had “lived in fear of the police coming to my door with bad news”. That fear became reality on the evening of 11 May, when officers arrived at her home.
“The world of myself, and Ayrton’s 10-year-old brother, then fell apart,” she said. She described her son as brave and courageous, adding: “We are trying to have just 1 per cent 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.”
Background and Tributes
Mr Redfearn was a former Torquay Air Cadet and joined the RAF at age 17 before travelling overseas. His mother expressed gratitude for the tributes and messages from those who knew him and from strangers.
Government Response
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “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, noting that several have been killed or captured, and that the risk of maltreatment is high.
