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Two American volunteers killed in drone attack while fighting in Ukraine
A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed that two American citizens were killed in a drone attack on 29 July
inews.co.uk
Two American volunteers killed in drone attack while fighting in Ukraine
A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed that two American citizens were killed in a drone attack on 29 July
By Joe Duggan
August 3, 2023 4:16 pm(Updated 5:27 pm)
Two American volunteer fighters have been killed in a drone attack while fighting in Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed that two American citizens were killed in the attack on 29 July and that consular assistance was being provided to the volunteers’ families.
Fellow Western fighters in Ukraine have paid tribute to the men killed in action, who they have named as Andrew Webber and Lance Lawrence.
i understands the men had been fighting with a unit called Chosen Company and were part of the Ukrainian ground force’s 59th motorised brigade.
Hundreds of Western volunteers have travelled to fight alongside Ukrainian forces since the start of the war, with at least nine British fighters among those killed.
A fellow American soldier from the same company tweeted: “Lance Lawrence was killed during fighting recently on our last operation.
“He was providing cover fire under heavy enemy fire for fellow Chosen Company soldiers when he was wounded. Lance was our brother, our friend, and we will always cherish the time he was with us.”
Rejecting any suggestions that Mr Lawrence was a “mercenary”, he added he was enlisted into the Ukrainian armed forces and “came because he thought what was happening in Ukraine by Russia was wrong”.
Paying tribute to Mr Webber, he added: “Andrew brought a lot of knowledge to the table in planning and operations. As well as a cool head on the actual operations.
“His smile, humor, and caringness will be missed. He leaves behind a caring wife and daughters.”
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Another fighter from the same unit who was wounded by a mortar blast during the battle described Mr Lawrence as “one of the hardest charging dudes I’ve ever known”.
The volunteer, whose callsign is Gator, tweeted: “Lance was an integral part of Chosen Company, our friend, and our family. I wish I could’ve done something differently during the operation and have you still here with us.
“I’m proud to have called you a brother in arms, and a brother forever. Miss you already buddy, and love you, always.”
Mr Webber had “fought his heart out for his country in the United States Army”, he wrote, before fighting with Chosen Company “for the people of Ukraine, whom he loved dearly”.
“The obligation to put his life on the line to help others in need was in Andrew’s blood,” he added.
“Compassionate and kindhearted to the core, and a warrior through and through. He died a hero, he died our brother, and he will remain both forever. We love you, Dubs, and we miss you. Heroyam Slava.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to to raise money for Mr Webber’s family. The fundraising page described him as a “warrior, who gave his life on 29 July, 2023 in support of Ukraine’s independence”.
Mr Webber was a veteran who had graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2005, the fundraising page added.
Both the US and the UK governments have urged their citizens not to travel to Ukraine to fight, but hundreds, including many military veterans, have done so, with the influx of volunteers drawing comparisons with the International Brigades who fought General Franco’s forces in the Spanish Civil War.
A US State Department spokesperson said: “We can confirm the death of two US citizens in a drone attack in Ukraine on 29 July, 2023. We are in touch with the family and providing all possible consular assistance.
“Out of respect for the family’s privacy during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.”
2 US military veterans killed in drone attack in Ukraine
Andrew Irvin Webber, a former Army officer, and Lance Lawrence, a former machine gunner in the Marine Corps, died during a military operation in eastern Ukraine on July 29.
Lawrence joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2013 and achieved the rank of private first class after serving for three years, according to Capt. Ryan Bruce, a spokesman for the Marine Corps. He deployed to the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea in 2015 and last served with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lawrence joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2013 and achieved the rank of private first class after serving for three years, according to Capt. Ryan Bruce, a spokesman for the Marine Corps. He deployed to the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea in 2015 and last served with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Webber enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces in May, volunteering with the 59th Motorized Brigade, according to his LinkedIn page. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 2005 and served in the Army as a chemical officer and infantry officer for a decade.
He deployed to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan and held the rank of captain at the end of service, according to Heather Hagan, an Army spokeswoman. His numerous awards include a Bronze Star medal and a Purple Heart.
Webber earned a law degree from Northwestern University after leaving the military and was working as a corporate attorney in Seattle when he decided to go to Ukraine.
