British ex-soldier killed fighting on front line in Ukraine as devastated family hail him as ‘truly a hero’

A BRIT ex-soldier has been shot dead fighting on the front line in Ukraine.

Jordan Gatley, who left the British Army in March, has been hailed as "truly a hero" after he was killed in the city of Severodonetsk.

Heartbroken Dean Gatley, from Derbyshire, said Jordan went to Ukraine after "careful consideration" after Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin sent his troops in.

Dean shared an emotional tribute from the family on Facebook to confirm the tragic news.

He wrote: "I didn’t think that Id ever use social media in this way but Sally, Adam and I would like to share some family news with all our friends, but there are just too many people to contact.

"Yesterday (10/06/22) we received the devastating news that our son, Jordan, has been shot and killed in the city of Severodonetsk, Ukraine.

"Jordan left the British Army in March this year to continue his career as a soldier in other areas.

"The war against Europe had begun so, after careful consideration, he went to the Ukraine to help."

Dean said the family has received "several messages" from his team praising his "wealth of knowledge, his skills as a soldier and his love of his job".

He added: "His team say they all loved him, as did we, and he made a massive difference to many people's lives, not only soldiering, but also by training the Ukrainian forces.

"Jordan and his team were so proud of the work they were doing and he often told me that the missions they were going on were dangerous, but necessary.

"He loved his job and we are so proud of him. He truly was a hero and will forever be in our hearts."

Dean said the family learned the “devastating news” on Friday, just hours after President Zelensky hailed the heroic Severodonetsk defenders.

The lion-hearted leader said the fierce battle for the city was “probably one of the most difficult throughout this war”.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Mr Zelensky, also paid tribute to Jordan. He said on Twitter: “It takes a lot of courage to leave home and go thousands of miles to defend what you believe in. Just because the heart says so. Because you can’t stand the evil.

“Jordan Gatley was a true hero. We will always remember his contribution to the protection of Ukraine.”

Jordan's pal Stacey also shared a tribute on Twitter.

She wrote: "Rest in peace Jordan Gatley. You risked your own life to help in Ukraine, will cherish our memories and laughter."

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Ukraine.”

Severodonetsk, where Jordan was killed, has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the war in recent weeks.

It has suffered major artillery pounding and street-to-street fighting as brave Ukrainian defenders push back against Russian troops.

Putin's forces entered the city, the largest still held by Ukraine in the eastern Luhansk region, late in May after weeks of shelling as they try to take full control of the industrial Donbas region.

The city has now become the focal point of Russia's efforts to seize eastern Ukraine after attempts to capture major cities such as Kyiv failed in the early stages of the war.

Meanwhile, hundreds of terrified Ukrainian civilians shelter at a chemical factory in Severodonetsk amid a deadly Russian onslaught - in a chilling echo of the Azovstal steel plant siege.

He loved his job and we are so proud of him. He truly was a hero and will forever be in our hearts.

Dean Gatley

More than 800 people are cowering in several bomb shelters underneath the Azot plant according to Ukrainian sources.

Russian shelling caused a strong fire yesterday after tonnes of oil leaked in what has become one of the bloodiest battles since their invasion began.

The citizens trapped are made up of about 200 employees as well as 600 residents of the city.

It comes after Brit volunteer Scott Sibley was named as the first UK casualty killed in Ukraine while reportedly fighting Russian troops.

Tributes were paid to the dad and British armed forces veteran, 36, with former comrades describing him as "the bravest person" they knew.

Meanwhile, the family of a hero Brit facing a firing squad in Ukraine want a prisoner swap to save his life.

Shaun Pinner, 46, and fellow Briton Aiden Aslin, 28, got the death sentence at a kangaroo court in Russian- controlled Donetsk.

The ex-Royal Anglian ­soldier’s family say Russia claimed they were foreign mercenaries to deny them PoW rights, including an independent lawyer, before the “illegal show trial”

In a statement, they said: “Our whole family is devastated.

"We sincerely hope all parties will co-operate urgently to ensure the safe release or exchange of Shaun.

Our family, including his son and Ukrainian wife, love and miss him.”