Ukrainian officials find body of missing British soldier Daniel Burke

The former soldier was reported missing in August by his family

Author: Rory GannonPublished 16th Sep 2023

A body has been found in the search for a missing former British soldier who was thought to fled to fight in Ukraine.

Daniel Burke, from Wythenshawe in the south of Manchester, was reported missing by his family on August 16th.

Reporting him as missing, family and friends close to the former paratrooper feared he had left the country to fight in the war in Ukraine.

Burke had been on the frontline of the war after the conflict first began in February of 2022.

Now, Ukrainian officials working with Greater Manchester Police in looking for the 36-year-old have confirmed they have found his body.

Authorities in the war-torn nation said that Daniel's body had been found in the city of Zaporizhzhia, where heavy fighting has been reported recently.

The city, which sits at the mouth of one of Ukraine's largest water reservoirs, lies just 27 kilometres away from the frontline, where Ukrainian soldiers are taking on Russian troops.

Greater Manchester Police have said they are working with authorities in Ukraine in order to being Daniel's body back to the UK.

The force also said they are liaising with Daniel's family, who have been deeply hurt by the news.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Greater Manchester Police's Lead for Disaster Victim Identification offered his condolences to Daniel's family.

"This is an upsetting time for Daniel’s family, we have Family Liaison Officers in contact with the family and offering support," he said in a statement.

“My team and I are working with the Ukrainian authorities to make formal identification with a view to repatriating Daniel following that process. Daniel’s family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”

Daniel is one of several Brits to fall in battle fighting against Russian troops in Ukraine in recent months.

22-year-old Samuel Newey was killed whilst fighting alongside Ukrainian forces on the eastern frontline at the end of August.

Newey's brother Daniel posted on social media following his death, paying tribute to "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," he wrote.

Similarly, Jordan Chadwick, a 32-year-old former Scots Guard from Burnley, was also found dead in June. Chadwick had been thrown into a lake with his hands tied behind his back.

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