Two Hong Kong youths who were serving in the Ukrainian forces were killed in an attack in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia on December 26th, marking the first time that Hong Kong individuals have died on the battlefield since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War nearly four years ago. The Hong Kong Immigration Department confirmed receiving assistance requests from the families on December 27th and is currently investigating the situation.
Reported by the Hong Kong Commercial Daily on December 28th, the two deceased Hong Kong soldiers were aged 23 and 30 respectively. They arrived in Ukraine in mid to late November to join the forces, undergoing training for about a month, assigned to the Ukrainian Army’s Mechanized Infantry 141st Light Armored Brigade.
On the evening of December 26th local time, the two Hong Kong soldiers along with a Czech soldier were attacked and killed while on a rescue and reconnaissance mission in a Ukrainian army-controlled area near Zaporizhzhia. The bodies of the two Hong Kong soldiers are still in the frontline forest area and have not been retrieved yet.
Prior to their deaths, the two Hong Kong youths had served in the 1st and 4th Foreign Legion regiments in France. Before their demise, at least four Hong Kong individuals had joined the Ukrainian army to participate in the conflict.
On December 27th, in response to media inquiries, the Hong Kong Immigration Department confirmed receiving assistance requests from the families and stated that they are obtaining information through the Hong Kong Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, including details of the two individuals. They will continue to maintain contact with the offices, embassy, and families to track developments and provide appropriate advice and feasible assistance in accordance with the wishes of the parties involved.