Update (2255 EST): The two Americans along with one Canadian and Swedish fighters have been identified. Ruslan Miroshnichenko, their commander in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, said Saturday that the Americans killed were Luke “Skywalker” Lucyszyn and Bryan Young. He said they were killed alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden on July 18.
In the village of Hryhorivka, 2km northwest of Siversk, an operational objective for the Russians, the team were tasked with clearing a Russian fighting position in a ravine. “They did it successfully. But at the end of the mission they were ambushed by Russian tanks,” Miroshnichenko said. “The first shell injured Luke. Three guys, Edward, Emile, and Bryan, they immediately attempted to help Luke, to do first aid, and evacuate him from this spot. Then the second shell killed them all.”
The U.S. State Department has confirmed to reporters that two American citizens have been killed fighting in the Donbass against Russian forces. The State Department is in contact with the families and will provide consular services for the return of the bodies, said their spokesperson.
“We can confirm the recent deaths of two U.S. citizens in the Donbas region of Ukraine. We are in touch with the families and providing all possible consular assistance.Out of respect to the families during this difficult time, we have nothing further”, said the spokesperson to press.
This is developing.
