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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kaitlin Easton

'Hero' Scots dad killed in Ukraine while working as paramedic as family pay tribute

Loved ones have paid tribute to a Scots dad who 'died as a hero' while working as a paramedic in Ukraine.

Jonathan Shenkin, known as Jony, has been named by family as the man who was killed in December after the Foreign Office confirmed a British national had died in Ukraine.

Heartbroken pals of the trained military man have paid tribute and say he died after making the "ultimate sacrifice to defend values we all believe in".

The 45-year-old, from Glasgow, is believed to be the eighth British man who has died in the country after fighters and aid workers travelled from the UK to help during the Russian invasion.

He is survived by his son and daughter, who he is said to have been devoted to.

A statement on social media from his brother Daniel said: "In December 2022 Jonathan 'Jony' Shenkin (45 years of age) died as a hero in an act of bravery as a paramedic, receiving a medal for 'Valour In Combat'. On enlisting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he made the ultimate sacrifice to defend values we all believe in. He is survived by his son and daughter, to whom he was devoted."

Jony was working as a paramedic (Facebook)
He had his own security firm (Facebook)

Jony grew up in Glasgow and spent time living in London and Malta before he enlisted in the Israeli army.

Spending his life dedicated to good causes, the dad devoted much of his time to helping others and volunteering during national disasters. He was notably involved in the 2009 rescue of an American citizen held hostage in a Palestinian city in the West Bank.

He set up his own security business and he was involved in missions in hostile areas around the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Angola, Philippines, South Korea and Oman, where he worked as a military medic.

Daniel added: "Throughout his life he took reward in helping others, whether it be through volunteer work, training authorities, close protection or rescue.

Jony grew up in Glasgow before enlisting in the Israeli army (Facebook)

"As well as volunteering his skills during natural disasters in the Philippines, he devoted much of his time to good causes.

"His hard work and contributions resulted in multiple awards from various Philippine government authorities for training hand-to-hand combat, close protection and firearms.

"He trained the Special Forces in both the Philippines and South Korea, marines in Kabul, Drug Enforcement Agencies, The Philippine Bureau of Investigation, the military and the police in multiple countries.

"With a lifelong passion for Israel, contribution to the Philippines and fighting for democratic values, he lived by the words of his signature: 'All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy, hope.' - Winston Churchill."

Jony has been described as a hero (Facebook)

Pal Quinton Coetzee said: "To my friends that may have known Shenkin Jony and others who know my sentiments on this war. My brother in arms sacrificed all for what he believed.

"So many talk the talk but this man walked the walk to the end. Till Valhalla."

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the local authorities."

The FCDO advises British nationals against all travel to Ukraine, whether in an official or unofficial capacity. They say there is a "real risk to life" and advise those in the country to leave immediately if it is safe to do so.

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