A HEROIC British fighter has been killed in Ukraine just five days before he was set to receive a bravery award for saving a fellow soldier’s life.
Ayrton Redfearn, who served for Kyiv‘s specialist Army, was tragically killed in Donetsk earlier this month – and his heartbroken family have paid tribute to the team leader.
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Ayrton Redfearn has tragically been killed fighting in UkraineCredit: Refer to source
Smoke rises after a Russian airstrike on the city of Kramatorsk, Ukraine, May 21 Credit: Getty
His devastated mum said Ayrton had been “extremely happy” serving in Ukraine, having made friends with people from all across the world.
The Brit, who was serving as a leader of a unit, was due to receive his first bravery award for saving someone’s life.
The honour for his selfless act was set to be awarded just five days before before he was killed in action.
Ayrton’s mum said he had joined 200 Squadron Torquay Air Cadets when he was just 12 years old.
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He went on to enlist in the RAF at 17, training as a regiment gunner and senior aircraftsman.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin continues his barbaric war in Ukraine Credit: Getty
Aftermath of a Ukrainian strike on Starobilsk College of Luhansk Pedagogical University following an overnight attack on Russian-occupied territory Credit: Reuters
His mum said: “Huge tributes have come in from Ukraine from Ayrton’s commander and 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 per cent locked in and competent when it was time to go to work.”
“His mother and younger brother are finding comfort in all the messages from Ukraine reminding them that he died a hero. Glory to the fallen.”
The Foreign Office said it was supporting the family of a British national who died in Ukraine.
It comes as Vladimir Putin continues to wage his bloody war in Ukraine.
Russia is even becoming “more reckless and dangerous” after Ukraine’s increasing success on the battlefield, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned.
Putin is fuming as Ukraine blitzed an elite command centre in the occupied Luhansk region on Friday.
The Kremlin claims at least six people were killed and a further 39 were injured in the overnight strike on Starobilsk.
Moscow is reportedly preparing “proposals” on how to retaliate.
The disabling of Russia’s Starlink programme has also delivered a crushing blow to the tyrant’s war machine.
Cooper said: “Russia’s weakening on the battlefield against Ukraine is also making them more reckless and dangerous.”
Speaking to foreign ministers in Sweden, she added: “The threat from Russia is increasing on air, land, sea, space, cyber and information warfare.”
She urged leaders in Europe and the UK to “do more” to fight the Russian tyrant.
It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky‘s forces blew up a Russian Spy HQ on Thursday and bombed Moscow on Jattvibeday in revenge for a Russian blitz which killed 24 last week.
Earlier this week, two Russian jets harassed an unarmed RAF spy plane over the Black Sea.
The Russian pilots risked world war three as they flew their fighter planes “repeatedly and dangerously” close to the British craft.
