Sam Newey

The 22-year-old British volunteer soldier Sam Newey has been killed in battle against the Russian Army.

A British volunteer has been killed in action while fighting in Ukraine, his brother has announced.

Sam left for Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion, and had fought on several frontlines during his service in the war-torn country.

The 22-year-old, from Solihull in the West Midlands, was killed in action in Eastern Ukraine yesterday, his bother Dan Newey said as he paid tribute to him, calling him an 'exceptional man and a good soldier'.

After studying psychology at the University of Birmingham, Sam made the decision to go and fight in Ukraine as Vladimir Putin's men marched on the country in February 2022.

Paying tribute to his brother, Dan wrote: 'He'd just turned 21 when he decided to answer the call and travel to Ukraine to push back against Russian Imperialism.

'Sam you gave your life for people you never knew and acted with courage, morality and honour.

'Not only are you my little brother, but you're an exceptional man, a good soldier and one of the bravest people I ever had the privilege of knowing. Thank you so much for being part of my life for these 22 years. I love you always brother.'

As news of his death was announced, tributes poured out for Sam across social media, hailing him as a 'hero'.

Family friend Daniel Burke had previously advised Sam to train as a medic before he signed up to fight in Ukraine. He joined up with Burke and his group of foreign volunteers the Dark Angels.

The group later disbanded and Sam headed east to work with Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence.

Fears are also growing for Burke who when missing in action while in the city of Zaporizhzhia in south-east Ukraine, close to the front lines of Ukraine’s current counter-offensive.

Burke's family fear the ex-paratrooper has also been killed after not being seen at his flat since early August.