His family said that a former British soldier died while trying to protect Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion.
Jordan Gatley, who left the British Army in March, was reportedly killed in the eastern city of Severodonetsk where the fiercest fighting of the war so far is taking place.
Dean Gatley of Derbyshire stated that the former soldier went to Ukraine in February 24, when Vladimir Putin sent his troops into Ukraine.
In an emotional tribute confirming the news, Dean wrote on Facebook: ‘I didn’t think that I’d ever use social media in this way but Sally, Adam and I would like to share some family news with all our friends, but there are just too many people to contact.
‘Yesterday (10/06/22) we received the devastating news that our son, Jordan, has been shot and killed in the city of Severodonetsk, Ukraine,’ he wrote, while posting pictures of Jordan as a child and in his military uniform.
Dean elaborated on the facts, saying: “Jordan quit the British Army March 2012 to go into other military areas. After careful thought, the war against Europe was already underway. He decided to go to Ukraine to assist.
Jordan Gatley (left, right), who with the British Army left in March was killed in Severodonetsk, the city where fierce fighting is currently taking place. Dean Gatley (pictured left with Jordan), a Derbyshire native, claimed that the former soldier traveled to Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putin’s orders for soldiers to go into Ukraine on February 24.
“We received many messages from his troops expressing our appreciation for his knowledge and skills, as well as his passion for his work. According to his teammates, they loved him and so did we. He made a significant impact on many lives through both soldiering and training Ukrainian soldiers.
Dean stated that Jordan and his Ukrainian unit were proud of their work in Ukraine and described the mission they undertook as ‘dangerous but necessary’.
He loved his work, and we love him so much. He was truly a hero, and will always be in our hearts,” he stated.
Jordan Gatley becomes the second British fighter to have been killed in Ukraine after volunteer fighter 36-year-old Scott Sibley was killed fighting Russian troops in April.
Meanwhile, UK nationals Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner were sentenced to death on Thursday in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) breakaway region of Ukraine.
The tragic news comes as Russian troops continued today to push for control of the key industrial city of Severodonetsk.
The general staff of Ukraine claimed that Russia was conducting an ‘unsuccessful assault’ on the city. According to the Azot chemical plant owner, about 800 civilians sought refuge in its bunkers.
Gaiday stated Saturday that the Azot plant was’shelled intensively for hours’, and that Russian forces had ‘ruined the city’.
“This was their tactic – people aren’t needed. The infrastructure isn’t necessary. Houses aren’t needed. Everything should be simply destroyed,” he stated.
He said that the number of civilian casualties would be “enormous, terrible”.
Gaiday stated that the Ukrainian fighters fighting in Severodonetsk won street battles but that Russian artillery would destroy any buildings they were hiding behind – “storey by storey”.
Two civilians died and eleven were hurt in Donetsk on Saturday according to its governor.
The military administration of the region stated that ‘all the major cities’ in Donetsk have been without power since Saturday.
According to the Ukrainian regional command, in the southern part of the country, a man was killed when he came into direct contact with an explosive object while swimming on a beach. Due to mine risks, it is not possible to visit beaches in the area.
Residents in Mykolaiv are faced with daily death every day.
31-year-old Igor Karputov recalled the attack on his neighborhood last week. He also described how he helped an injured man get to an ambulance.
‘Then, I went to another area which was hit, where emergency service were already taking care someone,” he said to AFP.
“But they died.” “And the one I had assisted died in an ambulance.
Vitaliy KIM, Mykolaiv region governor, stressed the need for military aid from abroad.
He stated Saturday that Russia’s army has more power, it is equipped with a lot ammo and artillery… but we run out ammo.
According to the Southern Command, ammunition and other equipment were destroyed by the Ukrainian Air Force in three strikes conducted in 24 hours. The command did not identify their location.