Valerii Zaluzhnyi

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

National Defence Academy of Ukraine  Embassy of Ukraine in the UK

London, England, United Kingdom

Dec 12, 2025

I had the honor of presenting state awards and honors to British soldiers who fought side by side with Ukrainian soldiers, and also to the relatives of those who fell in battle.
Ukraine will never forget those who supported it in the difficult struggle against the enemy.
Bright memory of the fallen.
Gratitude to the allies.
Glory to Ukraine!

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Embassy of Ukraine to the UK :

EN below

This week in London, we honored those who are the embodiment of the courage and resilience of our country – the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
For almost four years, Ukrainian soldiers have been controlling the largest aggression in Europe since World War II. They protect not only Ukraine – they protect the security of all Europe.

The United Kingdom stands side by side with us. British military, political and humanitarian support has repeatedly saved the lives of Ukrainians and strengthened our defense capability. We are grateful to every ally who has chosen to stand by us during this crucial time.

Today we also honoured the British heroes who gave their lives protecting Ukraine and freedom. Their names will forever remain in our shared history. Wounded fighters and citizens who have made a significant contribution to support Ukraine were noted.

Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!
Glory to our allies!
Glory to Ukraine!

This week in London, we honoured those who embody the courage and resilience of our nation — the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

For almost four years, Ukrainian soldiers have been holding back the largest aggression in Europe since the Second World War. They protect not only Ukraine — they protect the security of all of Europe.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with us is the United Kingdom. British military, political, and humanitarian support has repeatedly saved Ukrainian lives and strengthened our defence. We are grateful to every ally who has chosen to stand with us in this decisive moment.

Today we also honoured the British heroes who gave their lives defending Ukraine and freedom. Their names will forever remain part of our shared history. We recognised wounded soldiers and civilians who have made a significant contribution to supporting Ukraine.

Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!
Glory to our allies!
Glory to Ukraine!

……………

The Ground Forces are the backbone and foundation of our army. I thank fate that I had the honor of serving with you and going through your school.
The largest and heaviest branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
You are the ones who carry the war on your shoulders and know exactly the price of our freedom🇺🇦
Many thanks to all who fight for our future and the future of our children.
Eternal memory to the fallen Heroes.

……………

British soldiers in Ukraine are ‘legitimate targets’ says Russia

Kremlin questions why UK troops are in country after death of paratrooper

Kieran Kelly

11 December 2025

British soldiers operating in Ukraine are legitimate targets, Russia has warned.

Days after a British paratrooper was killed in an accident away from the front line, the Kremlin has questioned why UK troops were even in the country.

Russia’s foreign ministry said British troops in Ukraine had helped Kyiv carry out “extremist” acts, and demanded to know what L/Cpl George Hooley was doing in Ukraine when he was killed.

L/Cpl Hooley, 28, died during a test of Ukrainian defensive capabilities, not hostile fire, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman, said: “Any foreign contingents in Ukraine will be considered legitimate targets for the Russian Federation’s armed forces. 

“And let the British Government not deceive its subjects by describing those it sends to Ukraine as advisers or instructors who allegedly have no connection to the British state.”

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, added: “Many who are preparing for war even fantasise about sending their troops to Ukraine as ‘peacekeepers’.

“For us, these so-called ‘peacekeepers’ will immediately become legitimate targets – everyone should understand this.”

Europe ‘deliberately prolonging hostilities’

The Kremlin tied the issue to what it called Western escalation of the war, claiming key European leaders were deliberately prolonging hostilities.

“For most of these figures – like Macron, Starmer, Merz, Tusk, Stubb, von der Leyen, and Callas – a quick end to the conflict is simply unprofitable,” said Mr Lavrov.

“They beat the drums of war, creating ‘coalitions of the willing’, increasing military spending, and frightening people with the mythical threat of a Russian attack.”

Mr Lavrov added that the presence of British troops in Ukraine “clearly indicates that the goal is to undermine the efforts of president Trump and his team” in securing peace.

“As you know, there’s talk of plans to develop a ‘military Schengen’ and reduce the time it takes to deploy troops from Western Europe to our borders from 40 days to 3 days,” he claimed.

Presence of Parachute Regiment in Ukraine confirmed

In announcing the death of the British paratrooper, it was the first time that the presence of the Parachute Regiment had been confirmed in Ukraine.

On Thursday, Russia said that the presence of British troops in Ukraine did not come as a surprise and said they would be considered legitimate targets.

“London ‍must honestly admit what their very own Hooley was doing there,” said Ms Zakharova.

“It seems that perhaps someone there in Britain began to carefully prepare public opinion in their country for military losses in Ukraine ‍that would be impossible to simply hide and continue to conceal.”

The UK has previously acknowledged that there is a small number of British personnel in Ukraine. They provide security to Britain’s diplomatic presence and support the Ukrainian army, but do not operate along the front line. It is thought that there are around 100.

The Kremlin has claimed throughout the war that British soldiers are operating inside Ukraine.

Russia has sought to portray proof that British soldiers are operating inside Ukraine, which the Kremlin has claimed multiple times throughout the war.

Andrey Kelin, the Russian ambassador to London, previously told the state-owned Russian news agency Tass that the UK was involved in the conflict “perhaps even more deeply than any other Nato member”.

The UK, along with France and 30 other countries, is preparing to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal being agreed with Russia. The exact role of those troops is yet to be established, but it is thought they would provide training and reassurance to Ukraine rather than engage in any future conflict.

On Thursday, the Royal Navy shadowed a Russian submarine in the English Channel in a three-day operation with Nato allies.

A specialist Merlin helicopter and RFA tanker Tidesurge tracked the Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar and its accompanying tug boat, Altay.

The Russian vessels sailed westward from the North Sea through the Strait of Dover and into the Channel.

As the submarine arrived at the island of Ushant, north-west of France, the Tidesurge and the helicopter handed over the monitoring duty to a Nato ally.

‘If you met George, you remembered it’

Tributes poured in for L/Cpl Hooley after it emerged that he had been killed in Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said: “L/Cpl Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.

“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”

“If you met George Hooley, you remembered it,” his company commander added. “His energy and enthusiasm were simply extraordinary.”

The Telegraph has approached the MoD for comment.