The head of a group of Russian mercenary soldiers claims his forces have found the body of one of two British voluntary workers reported missing in Ukraine.
Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 48, went missing last week, with a spokesperson for Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin saying at least one of them is confirmed dead.
The pair were last seen on Friday morning leaving Kramatorsk for Soledar, in eastern Donetsk, where there is said to be heavy fighting.
It is unclear which of the missing men the group is referring to.
The Wagner Group are considered Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'private army' and are reported to number around 8,000 soldiers.
In Telegram group Press Service of Prigozhin, a post at about 7.30pm today said: "On January 8, the Ask Wagner hotline received a request to find two British citizens who disappeared on January 6 in Soledar - Andrew Bagshaw and Christopher Parry.
"Today the body of one of them was found, documents on both Britons were found with him."
They also shared photos of what appear to be the two men's passports.
It is unclear exactly what the military situation is in Soledar with Russian forces claiming it had fallen to them but with no confirmation from the Ukrainian Government.
The town lies north-east of Bakhmut which has seen some of the worst urban warfare of the invasion so far.
A couple of hours earlier, another post in the Telegram group said: “Once again I want to confirm the complete liberation and cleansing of the territory of Soledar from units of the Ukrainian army.
"Civilians were withdrawn, the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who did not want to surrender, were destroyed. Killed about 500 people. The whole city is littered with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers.
"There can be no talk of any humanitarian corridor. Let's start clearing mines."
Fighting has been fierce in that area and on Tuesday the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that much of Soledar was likely to already be under Russian control.
A spokesperson said: “Part of the fighting has focused on entrances to the 200km-long disused salt mine tunnels which run underneath the district.
“Both sides are likely concerned that they could be used for infiltration behind their lines.”
Chris Parry's mum, speaking from her home in Truro, Cornwall, said the family were being supported by the Foreign Office and were just praying for good news.
She said they were very proud of Chris' work but were still digesting the news and didn't want to add anything to a family statement they had prepared for the foreign office.
Chris, who had moved from Cornwall to Cheltenham, had previously spoken of evacuating people from the front line.
Andrew, a resident of New Zealand, was in Ukraine to assist in delivering humanitarian aid.
Chris told Sky News last year: "Sometimes, when you see some pretty terrible things it does stay with you."
He said his parents were "proud (but) very concerned" when he told them of his plans to go to Ukraine.
He admitted having no military experience and was a running coach back in the UK until he came out to the Ukraine in March 2022.
He said: "The things that have happened to these people and the experiences i have seen first hand are awful.
"I was just compelled to come here and at least try to help one way or another.
"I am here until the end of the war or until for whatever reason I am no longer needed.
"It's quite easy for me to take that decision because I could be at home and continue to live my life or help save lives. It's a no brainer for me."
He said: "There are points where fear does creep in."
He cited an example when a drone came within 30 metres over head and he and a companion had to hit the ground.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the families of two British men who have gone missing in Ukraine. We are aware of recent reports and are in touch with the Ukrainian authorities."
Since the two men went missing, both their families have released statements.
Chris' loved ones said: "We are very worried and concerned about the health and whereabouts of Chris right now.
"He is an extraordinary person who is compassionate and caring and would not be dissuaded from his work in Ukraine liberating elderly and disabled people, which we are very proud of.
"We, his family and partner, all love him very much and would be grateful if our privacy could be respected at this difficult time."
A statement on behalf of Andrew's parents also released to the press said: "Andrew is a very intelligent, independently-minded person, who went there as a volunteer to assist the people of Ukraine, believing it to be the morally right thing to do.
"Andrew's parents love him dearly and are immensely proud of all the work he has been doing delivering food and medicines and assisting elderly people move from near the battlefront of the war."
