British National missing in Ukraine, say officials

• According to Ukrainian police, two British nationals have gone missing
• According to authorities, Andrew Bagshaw, 48, and Christopher Parry, 28
• The Foreign Office said it was “helping the families”.

British nationals have gone missing in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

According to authorities, Andrew Bagshaw, 48, and Christopher Parry, 28, were conducting volunteer work and were last seen on Friday travelling to the town of Soledar, where violence has been strong.

The Foreign Office said it was “helping the families”.

Mr Bagshaw’s parents said they “love him deeply” and were “immensely proud of all the work he has been doing”.

Since Friday, there has been no contact with the two men.

Mr Parry, from Truro in Cornwall, had travelled to Ukraine to conduct humanitarian work, most recently assisting residents in the evacuation of Bakhmut in the eastern Donbas region.

He recalled having a “desire to help, as the people here are so nice” while speaking to BBC Cornwall from Ukraine over Christmas last year.

He remarked about the “constant” bombardment while he spent time near the front line, as well as encountering a drone “within about 10 metres of my face”.

Mr Parry, who resides in Cheltenham, has written on his online crowdfunding website about seeking funds for car repairs, gasoline, and tools to aid in the evacuation of civilians, as well as giving examples of how he has assisted children and families in fleeing.

His parents characterized his work “delivering food and medications and enabling old people to transfer from near the battlefront of the war” in a statement released to the media in New Zealand, where Mr Bagshaw lives.

The Bakhmut police department stated they received a missing person’s report at 17:15 local time on Saturday and asked for any information that could lead them to the two guys.

The men had been in Kramatorsk, where there had been rumors of recent strikes.

Though they were last spotted travelling east to the little village of Soledar. After a months-long fight with Ukrainian forces, the UK Ministry of Defense declared on Tuesday that Russia was “likely” in control of most of Soledar.

There is a “serious risk to life,” it adds, and British nationals who are still in Ukraine should leave immediately.

Several British citizens have gone missing or been apprehended in Ukraine in the last year.

Last September, five British nationals imprisoned by Russian-backed forces were released after Saudi Arabia announced a 10-detainee swap between Russia and Ukraine.

In the end Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy, Andrew Hill, and Shaun Pinner were all permitted to return home after being held captive for months.

Also Read

UK summons Russian ambassador over British national’s death in Ukraine

The UK Foreign Office has summoned the Russian ambassador over the death...