Second known American killed fighting in Ukraine | CNN Politics

CNN
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The US State Department on Tuesday confirmed the loss of life of an American citizen in Ukraine whose obituary mentioned he died in mid-May whereas fighting in the struggle there. “We can confirm the death of U.S. citizen Stephen Zabielski in Ukraine,” a State Department spokesperson mentioned.

“We have been in touch with the family and have provided all possible consular assistance. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further,” the spokesperson mentioned.

According to his obituary, revealed on June 1 in “The Recorder,” a newspaper in New York state, mentioned Zabielski “died on Sunday, May 15, 2022, while fighting the war in Village of Dorozhniank, Ukraine.”

He was 52 years outdated and is survived by his spouse and 5 stepchildren, the obit mentioned. The information of his loss of life grew to become extra extensively known following a report in Rolling Stone.

Zabielski is the second American known to be killed in fight in Ukraine since Russia invaded the nation in late February. Marine Corps veteran Willy Cancel was killed in April fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. He had been working with a personal navy contracting firm.

Recently, two American volunteers fighting for Ukraine, who had been lacking since June 9, were captured last week and taken into detention by Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk, in keeping with Russian state media.

US residents Alexander John-Robert Drueke, 39, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, 27, from Hartselle, Alabama, had been fighting alongside Ukrainian forces north of Kharkiv.

CNN has reported that the third American whom the State Department had recognized as lacking in motion in Ukraine is US Marine veteran Grady Kurpasi.

The final time his spouse and shut mates had heard from Kurpasi was in April. He selected to volunteer alongside Ukrainians in Ukraine however initially didn’t envision himself fighting on the entrance traces, a household good friend advised CNN.

The US residents are among the many a number of international nationals who had left home to join the fight in Ukraine.

The US has urged Americans to not journey to Ukraine right now because of the lively armed battle and the “singling out of US citizens in Ukraine” by the Russian authorities.

This story has been up to date with extra background data.