A member of the UK armed forces has died in a road traffic incident in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed. The incident occurred on Saturday and was not the result of hostile action, according to the BBC. The individual’s family has been informed and has requested a period of privacy before further details are released, the MoD said.

The UK has maintained a small contingent of personnel in Ukraine to support Kyiv’s armed forces and provide security for diplomatic staff. The deceased was not identified, and no details about their service or role were provided. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his condolences on social media, stating the news was 'very sad for the family and for those grieving with them in our armed forces.'

This incident marks the second UK military fatality in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. In December, British paratrooper George Hooley, 28, was killed while observing Ukrainian forces test defensive capabilities away from the frontlines. The MoD described his death as a 'tragic accident.'

The conflict in Ukraine continues into its fifth year, with fresh attacks reported on Sunday. A Russian drone struck a train at Yahodyn station, near the Ukraine-Poland border, shortly after a train carrying former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had passed through. Ukraine’s railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, suggested the attack may have been aimed at Johnson’s train, though no casualties were reported. Russia’s defence ministry claimed the strike targeted 'railway infrastructure' in western Ukraine.

The UK remains a key ally to Ukraine, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently visiting Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky. During his visit, Burnham pledged continued support for Ukraine despite Moscow’s 'outrageous threats.' He also agreed to share blueprints for British-made components for Scalp missiles as part of the 'coalition of the willing' initiative launched by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.

No official response from the family of the deceased has been released, and no further details about the incident are available. The MoD has not confirmed the individual’s service branch or role. The UK government has not commented on the potential targeting of Johnson’s train, though the incident has raised questions about the safety of diplomatic travel in the region. The full circumstances of the crash and the drone attack remain under investigation.