Brit volunteer, 18, killed by Russian drone just minutes into first mission on Ukraine frontline

James Wilton, 18, had nary erstwhile subject acquisition erstwhile helium travelled to the war-torn portion to assistance those suffering - but tragically died conscionable minutes into his archetypal mission

An 18-year-old Brit who volunteered to combat against Russia in Ukraine was killed successful a drone onslaught conscionable minutes into his archetypal mission.

James Wilton, from Huddersfield, successful West Yorkshire, had nary erstwhile subject acquisition and was conscionable 17 erstwhile helium near the UK, flying from Manchester to Poland before crossing the borderline into the war-torn region. His grieving begetter described him arsenic a "polite, likeable young man" who "never had a atrocious connection to accidental astir anyone" successful a touching tribute.

James had travelled to Ukraine against the wishes of his parent and 2 sisters due to the fact that helium wanted to assistance those suffering from the war. He was tragically killed by a Russian drone successful July whilst crossing unfastened crushed with a dense battalion connected his backmost - conscionable 30 metres distant from the information of a trench.

Despite the efforts of his friend, an American volunteer named Jason, the teen could not beryllium saved. His father, Graham, said: "My lad James had lone conscionable turned 18 erstwhile helium decided helium wanted to spell unpaid and combat successful Ukraine. I didn't needfully hold with his determination connected this but we talked astatine magnitude astir wherefore helium wanted to bash this.

"He'd conscionable finished assemblage and wasn't truly definite astir what helium wanted from life. But from our conversations helium made it wide to maine that this was what helium wanted to do.

"I besides told him to talk with his sisters and his parent earlier helium left, which helium did, but they were dormant acceptable against him going," Graham said. "But James made his caput up and helium would've gone regardless, truthful helium had my blessing and knew I was present if helium needed me."

Before helium passed, James said the 3 months of combat grooming helium recieved successful Ukraine were "some of the champion days of his life", dada Graham added. He told The Sun: "Unfortunately it was not to beryllium and I conjecture you tin ne'er afloat hole for what happens connected the battlefield. I convey Jason for his bravery successful trying to prevention James successful a atrocious infinitesimal and for getting him disconnected the battlefield, adjacent if it was successful vain

Recalling the fearfulness attack, James' American pal, Jason, said the brace were crossing unfastened crushed 20m isolated erstwhile James spotted a Russian drone supra them and froze. Jason said: "I screamed astatine him: 'We request to move, we request to move!' Then the drone moved and began hovering 20 metres supra me.

"Once the drone was connected him, James ne'er stood a chance", helium added. After travelling to Ukraine for his son's funeral, Graham Wilton said: "This was the astir hard happening I person ever done. I spent 2 weeks successful Kyiv and (with) James' comrades and friends and it was a precise affectional trip. I made immoderate friends for beingness successful James' chap soldiers and privation them each well.

"I'm inactive successful interaction with immoderate of them and present person a bigger knowing of what their lives are like. l'd similar to convey the planetary legion of Ukraine, and the equipped forces of Ukraine for a moving ceremonial and tribute. Also the radical successful Ukraine who marque you consciousness truly welcome. It's a beauteous state conscionable trying to survive.

"I anticipation this volition marque radical alert of the concern successful Ukraine, and 1 calamity tin yet bash immoderate good."