Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw, who was reported missing in eastern Ukraine, have perished, according to their families. Mr. Bagshaw, 47, and Mr. Parry, 28, were last seen on January 6 traveling to the city of Soledar.
The relatives of Mr. Bagshaw stated that the two were attempting to rescue an elderly woman when their vehicles were struck by a shell.
According to Mr. Parry’s family, the men perished while attempting a “humanitarian evacuation.”
The Russian mercenary group Wagner announced earlier this month that the body of one of the guys had been discovered.
The Ukrainian salt-mining town of Soledar had been the site of severe combat, and Russia’s troops claimed earlier this month to have taken it following a protracted assault.
Rob, Christine, and Katy Parry stated in a statement released by the UK Foreign Office, “It is with great grief that we must disclose that our beloved Chrissy was killed alongside his colleague Andrew Bagshaw while trying a humanitarian evacuation from Soledar, eastern Ukraine.”
Regarding Mr. Parry, a native of Truro, Cornwall, they added, “His unselfish dedication to assisting the elderly, the young, and the disadvantaged have made us and his extended family immensely proud.”
We never expected that we would be saying goodbye to Chris while he still had so much to live for. He was a beloved son, brother, best friend to so many, and Olga’s devoted companion.
“Chris was a self-assured, outwardly focused, and intrepid young man who was devoted to everyone he knew.
As a software developer, he lived and worked away from Cornwall, but Cornwall was always his home. He was passionate about rock climbing, cycling, running, and skydiving and desired to tour the globe.
“He was drawn to Ukraine in March, at the beginning of the Russian invasion, when the country was in its darkest hour, and he assisted people in greatest need, saving over 400 lives and countless abandoned animals.”
“It is impossible to express how deeply he will be lost, yet he will live on in our hearts forever.
“We feel very honored that he chose to join our family.”
Mr. Parry and Mr. Bagshaw had been volunteering in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Mr. Bagshaw, a scientist of British nationality, resided in New Zealand. Since April, he had been volunteering in Ukraine.
His parents, Dame Sue and Professor Phil Bagshaw stated that the guys were giving food and medicine to the elderly and assisting them.
In a statement distributed to the media, it was stated that Mr. Parry and Mr. Bagshaw “were attempting to rescue an elderly woman from Soledar in an area of severe military action when their vehicle was struck by an artillery shell.
Andrew took many personal risks and saved many lives; we love him and are incredibly proud of his actions.
They said,
“The world must be strong and stand with Ukraine, giving them the military support they need now and aiding in the reconstruction of their war-ravaged country after the conflict.”
Cherilyn Mackrory, the Conservative representative for Truro and Falmouth, tweeted: “My greatest condolences to Christopher Parry’s family, whose death in Ukraine has been verified by the Foreign Office.
“My sympathies are with his family during this difficult time, and I understand that they are receiving assistance from Foreign Office personnel.”
The Foreign Office has previously advised against all travel to Ukraine, citing a “serious threat to life.”
It was stated that British citizens still in Ukraine should evacuate immediately if it is safe to do so.
Mr. Parry previously talked to BBC Radio Cornwall on January 2 from the eastern Ukrainian region of Bakhmut.
He explained that he was there in order to assist children in particular.
“Being able to remove kids from these war-torn regions makes it more worthwhile than anything else I can imagine,” he said.
“Yesterday, a drone came within 10 meters of my face, which was one of the scariest moments I’ve had here… general bombing overhead, you don’t have the time or energy to flinch for everyone because you’d spend half your life sitting on the floor.”
Mr. Parry informed a freelance journalist on January 3, three days before the volunteers vanished, that he had been helping as an evacuation driver.
He stated,
“I receive inquiries from family members asking us to retrieve their loved ones…
“Many volunteers refuse to go, but there are individuals who want to leave, therefore I’m willing to go.”
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