Two Americans, a Canadian and a Swedish citizen have been killed by a Russian tank which opened fire on them during a bloody battle at the frontline in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.
Ruslan Miroshnichenko, the foreign fighters’ commander, confirmed the tragic deaths to Politico and named the victims.
Americans killed were Luke 'Skywalker' Lucyszyn and Bryan Young. Miroshnichenko said they were killed alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden on July 18.
A former US soldier who served with the two Americans told Good Morning America that the team of soldiers faced overwhelming Russian firepower, with 24/7 artillery.
"They could shoot at us but we couldn't even see them", he said.
The soldier's unit was based near Siversk, a town in eastern Donetsk oblast the area where the Kremlin's forces have recently redoubled efforts.
Ukrainian forces are still attempting to defend this pocket of territory but are being attacked from two sides as the Russians try to close in and carry out intense shelling and air attacks on front-line settlements.
In an attempt to delay Russia ’s advance, the foreign fighters were deployed to the village of Hryhorivka.
Miroshnichenko said they were tasked to take their firing positions and clear a ravine where Russian forces were attempting to cross a river.
“They did it successfully. But at the end of the mission they were ambushed by Russian tanks,” he said.
The commander said the first shell injured Luke and the other three ran to his aid to evacuate him, which is when the second shell hit and killed them all.
The State Department spokesperson confirmed the deaths of the two Americans on Friday but did not name them and Luke Lucyszyn's mother, Kathy Lucyszyn, confirmed the death to ABC News.
The Canadian and Swedish governments could not immediately be reached for comment.
