US State Department confirmed on Monday that though the US government has urged its citizens not to travel to Ukraine, another American was killed while fighting against Russian troops that have invaded Ukraine.
Timothy Griffin of New York was killed in action on the eastern front in Ukraine while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in the International Legion of Defense, a military unit comprised of thousands of foreign fighters helping the Ukrainians.
According to sources in the International Legion, which meanwhile is handling the repatriation process, Griffin had taken part in the counteroffensive on the eastern front – in the Kharkiv region- with his unit, though details about his death remain sparse.
They said they’re in contact and in coordination with the family, following their wishes and instructions, as well as with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
State Department’s official said that it is in touch with the family of the deceased but refused to give further details out of respect for Griffins family’s privacy during this difficult time.
Due to limited information, the State Department official could not specify the number of Americans that have been killed fighting in the war in Ukraine but reports say Griffin’s death brings the number to at least six.
Previously in October, Idaho-born US Army veteran Dane Partridge (34) was killed by a Russian tank blast while fighting in Ukraine.
Joshua Jones, a 24-year-old man from Memphis, Tenn., was reportedly killed in August while fighting Russian forces in the Donbas region.
Two American volunteer soldiers, Luke “Skywalker” Lucyszyn (31) and Bryan Young, were killed in July in an alleged Russian tanks ambush in the Donetsk region of Donbas.
Stephen Zabielski was killed in mid-May in Zaporizhzhia while fighting in the village of Dorozhniank and several weeks before, the former US Marine Willy Joseph Cancel (22) was killed.
The State Department has also acknowledged the death of video journalist Brent Renaud and Minnesotan Jimmy Hill, killed while waiting in a bread line during the spring, noting that few American soldiers were detained by Russian troops and are awaiting trial.
Be the first to comment