U.S. citizen killed in combat in Ukraine – obituary, State Dept

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. citizen was killed in fight in Ukraine final month, in accordance with an obituary and the State Division, after he joined 1000’s of overseas fighters who’ve volunteered to assist Ukraine fend off invading Russian forces.

Stephen Zabielski, 52, was killed in preventing on Could 15, in accordance with an obituary printed in The Recorder, an upstate New York newspaper, earlier this month. Media stories of his dying circulated on Monday.

Zabielski, who was from New York and had moved to Florida lately, is survived by his spouse, 5 stepchildren, and a grandchild, amongst different household.

In an announcement, a State Division spokesperson confirmed Zabielski’s dying in Ukraine and stated the company has been in contact along with his household and offered “all potential consular help.”

The spokesperson’s assertion repeated earlier warnings that U.S. residents shouldn’t journey to Ukraine due to the battle and the potential for the Russian authorities to single them out. It added that any residents in Ukraine ought to depart instantly.

Regardless of the sooner warnings to not take up arms in Ukraine, a number of People have volunteered to struggle alongside Ukrainian forces.

Russia says it’s concerned in a “particular navy operation” in Ukraine.

The information of Zabielski’s dying comes as a number of American combatants have gone lacking in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday confirmed that People Andy Huynh, 27, of Hartselle, Alabama, and Alexander Drueke, 39, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had been detained whereas preventing on the Ukrainian aspect and stated they had been mercenaries who endangered the lives of Russian servicemen and may face duty for his or her actions.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Modifying by Christian Schmollinger)