World
US volunteer fighter killed in Ukraine: Wagner chief
The head of Russia’s private Wagner mercenary group on Tuesday said a US volunteer had died fighting alongside Ukrainian troops in the country’s east.
In a video shared by Russian military bloggers, Yevgeny Prigozhin showed the body of what he said was an American laying in the rubble of a building.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The clip shows the Wagner chief walking with his men at night, and explosions can be heard — but it is not clear where or when it was filmed.
Standing beside the body, which appears to have suffered a stomach wound, Prigozhin said: “He came to meet us. Citizen of the United States of America.”
Prigozhin shows the camera what appears to be the soldier’s identity documents, without giving a full name.
“We will return him to the United States. We will put him in a coffin (with) the American flag. With respect, because he didn’t die in a grandfather’s bed but in the war,” the Wagner boss said.
Prigozhin’s paramilitary group is fighting on the front line in the bloody battle for Bakhmut, a flashpoint town in eastern Ukraine.
AFP could not independently verify Prigozhin’s claims.
Read more:
Ukraine war providing lessons for Taiwan: Lloyd Austin
Ukraine and Russia face off in June at World Court over flight MH17