A Lithuanian man has tragically lost his life while engaged in combat against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, as reported by a Lithuanian NGO on Wednesday. The fighter, identified as Tomas V., was killed during a mission with Ukraine’s International Legion, with his body recovered from a battlefield near Kupiansk during a special operation conducted on Tuesday night. This recovery occurred weeks after he went missing in action.
The NGO, Blue/Yellow, which has been actively involved in operations supporting Ukraine, described the retrieval effort as “complex and dangerous.” It highlighted the challenging conditions under which the recovery took place, noting that Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces used special equipment to camouflage their troops due to the ongoing heavy shelling in the area.
Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO, has consistently shown strong support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. Concerns linger among the Baltic states, including Estonia and Latvia, regarding potential threats from Russia, given their geographical proximity and historical context.
In a statement, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda commemorated Tomas V., emphasizing his commitment to the fight for both Ukrainian sovereignty and Lithuanian values. “May the heroism and dedication to the ideals of freedom of the fallen soldier remain forever in our memory,” Nauseda stated.
The Lithuanian foreign ministry confirmed that a volunteer fighter had been reported missing in Ukraine on March 19, and Tomas V. marks the second Lithuanian to lose their life on the battlefield while supporting Ukraine, following the death of another volunteer last year. This incident underscores the ongoing repercussions of the conflict and the contributions of foreign volunteers in support of Ukraine’s efforts against Russian aggression.
