WASHINGTON — A former U.S. Marine was killed combating alongside Ukrainian forces within the battle with Russia, his kin advised information shops in what is the first identified loss of life of a U.S. citizen combating in Ukraine.
Rebecca Cabrera advised CNN her son, Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, was killed Monday whereas working for a army contracting firm that despatched him to Ukraine.
Cabrera mentioned her son was working as a corrections officer in Tennessee and had signed as much as work with the non-public army contractor shortly earlier than combating started in Ukraine in late February. She advised CNN he agreed to go to Ukraine.
“He wished to go over as a result of he believed in what Ukraine was combating for, and he wished to be part of it to comprise it there so it didn’t come right here, and that possibly our American troopers wouldn’t must be concerned in it,” she mentioned.
Cabrera mentioned her son’s physique has not been discovered.
“They haven’t discovered his physique,” she mentioned. “They’re making an attempt, the lads that have been with him, but it surely was both seize his physique or get killed, however we’d love for him to return again to us.”
She mentioned her son flew to Poland on March 12 and entered Ukraine shortly after. She mentioned he was combating alongside males from quite a lot of international locations.
The U.S. has not confirmed the experiences. On Friday, the State Division mentioned it was conscious of the experiences and is “intently monitoring the state of affairs. Because of privateness concerns, we’ve got no additional remark. We as soon as once more reiterate U.S. residents mustn’t journey to Ukraine because of the lively armed battle and the singling out of U.S. residents in Ukraine by Russian authorities safety officers, and that U.S. residents in Ukraine ought to depart instantly whether it is protected to take action utilizing any business or different privately out there floor transportation choices.”
Cancel’s widow, Brittany Cancel, advised Fox News he leaves behind a younger son and that she sees her husband as a hero.
“My husband did die in Ukraine,” Brittany Cancel mentioned. “He went there wanting to assist individuals, he had all the time felt that that was his fundamental mission in life.”
She mentioned her husband volunteered to go to Ukraine but in addition had aspirations of changing into a police officer or firefighter.
“He had goals and aspirations of being a police officer or becoming a member of FDNY,” she advised Fox. “Naturally when he came upon about what was taking place in Ukraine he was desirous to volunteer.”
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AP Diplomatic Author Matthew Lee contributed to this report from Washington.
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