A soldier killed in Ukraine as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability was a 28-year-old paratrooper.
The “tragic accident” happened on Tuesday morning when Lance Corporal George Hooley was with Ukrainian military counterparts.
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the Parachute Regiment soldier at Prime Minister’s Questions, saying: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.
“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
In a statement on social media, the Parachute Regiment said L/Cpl Hooley joined the army in November 2015 and attended infantry training in Catterick, north Yorkshire.
The UK has previously acknowledged that a “small number” of military personnel are in the country, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
The presence of paratroopers in Ukraine has not previously been disclosed by the Government.
The fatal incident is not assessed as being the result of hostile fire, the Press Association understands.
It is with sadness that we can confirm that the member of the UK Armed Forces who died in Ukraine yesterday is Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment. pic.twitter.com/WLkSnjanRB
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 10, 2025
The Parachute Regiment is an airborne infantry regiment of the British Army, primarily based at Merville Barracks in Colchester.
It has not been disclosed which battalion of the Parachute Regiment L/Cpl Hooley served in. The 1st Battalion is under the direction of special forces while other battalions are part of the British Army’s rapid response formation.
Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute to the soldier, saying “he served our country with distinction”.
As Mr Healey visited Washington DC on Wednesday to discuss the Aukus nuclear submarine programme, his Australian and US counterparts also paid tribute to the British paratrooper.
United States secretary of war Pete Hegseth said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, and to him and his family, and it is a reflection of the sacrifice and commitment that so many make around the world.”
Australia’s defence minister Richard Marles said: “Let me start there and also pass on my condolences to George Hooley’s family. We are all very much thinking of you at this moment.”
