Maria Zakharova and Vladimir Putin

Russia has warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine are “legitimate targets” following the death of a British soldier.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Wednesday that Lance Corporal George Hooley had died in a “tragic accident” this week.

He was observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability away from the frontline.

His death marks the first time a British soldier has been killed within Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

The government praised him for being an “exceptional soldier who will be very deeply missed”.

The UK has revealed little information about what its military personnel are doing in Ukraine, partly to avoid giving Russia material for its propaganda.

But after Hooley’s tragic death was confirmed, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would regard any foreign military contingents in Ukraine as “legitimate targets”.

She also

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