Ex-paratrooper from UK killed during defence of Bakhmut

A FORMER British paratrooper who served in Afghanistan has been killed in Ukraine while fighting to defend Bakhmut from Russian attacks.

Simon Lingard died when the trench he was in was hit by a shell on Monday. At least two other British soldiers were injured during the fighting in the eastern Donbas city, according to The Sun.

Bakhmut, which had a pre-war population of 72,000, has been the focus of an intense Russian assault in recent months.

Ukraine claimed that on Monday alone more than 700 Russian troops were killed in action, mostly in areas around Bakhmut and nearby Avdiivka.

Russia has resorted to wave attacks on Bakhmut, hurling groups of poorly trained soldiers forward with little regard for their safety.

Lingard, a former machine gunner from Blackburn who during his military career served with the elite Special Forces Support Group, travelled to Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

His son, Jackson, wrote on Facebook: “After years of dedicating his time and effort to protecting our country, my dad still had more fight in him and left the country to protect the people of Ukraine against the Russian army too.

“My heart is broken to announce that his troop was attacked and dad has passed away in battle, a true hero and beloved to so many of us,” he said.

Kierren Stokes, a former soldier who served alongside Lingard in the British army, wrote on Facebook: “Absolutely gutted to be posting this, Si was an awesome soldier with a great, sometimes questionable sense of humour.”

Mr Stokes said he was “proud” to have served with Lingard in the parachute regiment.

He added: “I’m also sure what he will have taught those fighting with him will help them win this war.”