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TANK HERO
Ukraine soldier who trained in UK was killed when Russian drone hit his British Challenger 2 tank
A tribute video showed him with pals on the London Underground, the London Eye and in front of the Tower of London
A SOLDIER from Ukraine who was trained in the UK was killed when his British Challenger 2 tank was hit by a Russian drone.
Named by comrades only as Ruslan, he was reportedly fighting in Russia’s Kursk province when his armoured vehicle was targeted by a Lancet 3 device.
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He had undergone training at the British Army’s tank school in Dorset and had been on a sightseeing tour of London last year before returning to Ukraine to fight.
A comrade hailed Ruslan a “lion”.
He wrote: “I was honoured and proud to have you as a brother. It shouldn’t have happened like this!”
A tribute video showed him with pals on the London Underground, the London Eye and in front of the Tower of London.
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Another mate said Ruslan — who was also known by his call-sign Burzh — had “lived and loved life very much”.
They added: “No matter how this world broke him, he always fought. The best.” Another simply said: “Rest in peace. We remember. Thank you.”
A video posted online appeared to show the moment his tank was engulfed by a fireball after suffering a direct hit from the drone.
A source said the vehicle had suffered a “K-Kill” — meaning it was totally destroyed.
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The Sun has also seen a photograph which appears to show the aftermath of the catastrophic strike.
The Challenger 2’s barrel — clearly recognisable by the distinctive ridges on its thermal sleeve — is partially visible amid fallen branches, scorch marks and white ash.
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It appears to be attached to part of the turret, but it was unclear if that section is still attached the tank.
It was also unclear whether the other three crew survived.
Britain has supplied Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2s.
An unknown number blasted into Russia last week as part of Ukraine’s lightning cross-border blitz.
They have helped inflict Russia’s worst home defeat since the end of World War Two.
One of the British tanks was destroyed by a drone last year during Ukraine’s summer counter-offensive.
Its crew of four survived as they were not inside at the time.
The Challenger 2s are operated by troops from Ukraine’s 82nd Air Assault Brigade.
Ukraine said it has seized a thousand square kilometres since it launched its surprise attack on Russia on August 6.
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And the UK said Russia’s defenders were not prepared for the “multi-battalion assault force”.
Russia yesterday claimed Ukraine had launched 12 long-range missiles at the Kerch bridge linking mainland Russia to occupied Crimea.