New Zealand volunteer killed in Ukraine war
Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, announced the news on social media platform X, Ukrinform reports.
“It was with deep sadness that I received the news that Shan Le Kearns is believed to have lost his life fighting for Ukraine’s freedom. My sincere condolences go to Shan’s family, and to his friends. My country remains forever thankful for Shan, for other New Zealanders, for Australians, and for all nationals who come to Ukraine’s defence, even at the risk of their own lives. We will always remember Shan. We will never forget him,” the Ukrainian diplomat wrote.
The family of 26-year-old Shan Le Kearns confirmed his death to New Zealand outlet 1News, stating that he had not been serving directly on the front line but had completed basic training to help rescue wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
His mother, Alice Kearns, said that he "loved what he was doing."
“He was saving lives. Then he was going back to save more, when a drone dropped a grenade on him,” she said.
She added that his body cannot currently be brought home. The exact location where the volunteer was killed has not been officially disclosed.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it had received information about Shan Le Kearns’ death and is “urgently seeking further information from Ukrainian officials.”
Shan Le Kearns is the fourth New Zealander confirmed killed while fighting for Ukraine.
As Ukrinform previously reported, in March a memorial was held in Kyiv for another New Zealander, Dominic Abelen, a fighter with Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence International Legion, who was killed on August 23, 2022, near Vuhledar.
Photo: X / Vasyl Myroshnychenko
