British aid worker Paul Urey dies after being detained by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine

15 July 2022, 11:22 | Updated: 15 July 2022, 13:08

A British aid worker who pro-Russian forces detained in Ukraine has died.

Paul Urey's family has confirmed he passed away, and he is thought to have died within the last week after becoming ill.

Relatives said they had been passed information by the Foreign Office, which has told LBC it is still seeking clarification from the Russian government.

The 45-year-old had been charged with "mercenary activities" in the breakaway Donetsk region as part of pro-Russian propaganda efforts.

Mr Urey was taken at a checkpoint near Zaporizhzhia, in the south of Ukraine, in April. He was held along with another British volunteer worker, 22-year-old Dylan Healy.

His mother Linda Urey posted on Facebook: "Absolutely devastated."

She added: "I'm truly angry. I told you he was a very sick man, I told he he was diabetic, I begged on Sky News to give me my son back.

"Why did you let him die? I want answers, why didn't you release him, I hate you all, I'm absolutely fuming I really am. I'm angry very very very very angry.

"Murderers that's what you are f****** murderers I hate you."

Downing Street was alarmed at reports he had died.

A No 10 spokesman said: "They're clearly alarming reports and our thoughts are obviously with his family and friends."

The Foreign Office said: "We are urgently seeking clarification from the Russian government on media reports that a British aid worker has died in Ukraine."

Russia has tried to make the most of Brits captured in Ukraine. Separately to Mr Urey and Mr Dylan, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic.

Among them is Aiden Aslin, who is part of the Ukrainian military, but faces a death sentence because he was wrongly branded a mercenary by those in charge of the separatist, pro-Russian region.

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He was convicted by a court in the almost entirely unrecognised region along with Shaun Pinner, 48. The classification of them as mercenaries was criticised because they were part of the Ukrainian forces.

The pair had announced their intentions to appeal but the "legal" process involved in their case was heavily criticised.

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Pro-Russian forces have tried to use them as propaganda, having them contact family members and media outlets.

Such moves have been decried as an attempt to free pro-Russian politicians held by Ukrainian authorities.

Another Brit, Andrew Hill, 35, had also faced charges.