On Air Now

Through The Decades

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Now Playing

Sam Fender

People Watching

British man killed in action while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops

A British man has been killed in action in Ukraine, the government has confirmed.

Ayrton Redfearn, 23, from Devon, died on 9 May while fighting in the eastern Donetsk region.

He had joined a specialist unit with Ukraine's military last year and was due to receive a bravery award for saving someone's life five days before his death, his mother, who gave her name as Natasha, said.

Sharing a tribute on Facebook, his mother said Mr Redfearn was "extremely happy" in Ukraine and made friends with people from around the world "all with the same mission of fighting for Ukraine".

He had been known by the call sign "Musso" and was made a team leader earlier this year.

His mother added: "Huge tributes have come in from Ukraine from Ayrton's commander and his brothers (comrades) about his exceptional service and being an outstanding soldier, whilst remaining the clever, funny, prankster whilst off duty, always able to boost morale, and 'he was 100% locked in and competent when it was time to go to work'."

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the Ukrainian authorities."

The FCDO warns that British nationals fighting in Ukraine face a high risk of maltreatment.

Read more:
British troops train for war with Russia
Putin blames Ukraine after six killed in drone strike on school

Its website says: "British nationals fighting in Ukraine have been killed or captured. British nationals undertaking humanitarian work have also been detained by Russian authorities.

"The risk to life, or of maltreatment, is high."

Early on in the war, Ukraine's authorities said more than 20,000 people from 52 countries came to Ukraine's aid.

Since then, the number of foreign fighters in Ukraine's military has been classified.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: British man killed in action while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Videos

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Through The Decades

    8:00pm - 9:00pm

    with Austin Hart for a musical journey from the 1960s to today, spinning timeless tracks and hidden gems, all tied together with a brand-new theme every Sunday at 8pm.

  • The Sunday Night Session

    9:00pm - 11:00pm

    with Damien signing the Weekend off in style. All Genres - One Session.

  • The Quiet Storm

    11:00pm - 1:00am

    Join Paul Harvey on The Quiet Storm as he plays the world’s greatest love songs to end your day.

  • Wide Awake Club

    1:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Monday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.