WASHINGTON (AP) — A former U.S. Marine was killed combating alongside Ukrainian forces in battle with Russia, his kin advised media shops.
He’s the primary U.S. citizen recognized to have been killed whereas combating in Ukraine.
Rebecca Cabrera advised CNN her son, 22-year-old Willy Joseph Cancel, was killed Monday whereas working for a army contracting firm that despatched him to Ukraine.
Cabrera mentioned her son was working as a corrections officer in Tennessee and had signed as much as work with the personal army contractor shortly earlier than combating started in Ukraine in late February. She advised CNN he agreed to go to Ukraine.
“He needed to go over as a result of he believed in what Ukraine was combating for, and he needed to be part of it to include it there so it didn’t come right here, and that perhaps our American troopers wouldn’t should be concerned in it,” she mentioned.
Cabrera mentioned her son’s physique has not been discovered.
“They haven’t discovered his physique,” she mentioned. “They’re attempting, the lads that had been with him, however it was both seize his physique or get killed, however we’d love for him to come back again to us.”
The U.S. has not confirmed the experiences. On Friday, the State Division mentioned it was conscious of the experiences and is “intently monitoring the state of affairs. On account of privateness issues, we’ve no additional remark. We as soon as once more reiterate U.S. residents mustn’t journey to Ukraine because of the energetic armed battle and the singling out of U.S. residents in Ukraine by Russian authorities safety officers, and that U.S. residents in Ukraine ought to depart instantly whether it is secure to take action utilizing any industrial or different privately out there floor transportation choices.”
Cancel’s widow, Brittany Cancel, advised Fox News he leaves behind a younger son and that she sees her husband as a hero.
“My husband did die in Ukraine,” Brittany Cancel mentioned. “He went there wanting to assist folks, he had at all times felt that that was his predominant mission in life.”
She mentioned her husband volunteered to go to Ukraine but in addition had aspirations of turning into a police officer or firefighter.
“He had desires and aspirations of being a police officer or becoming a member of FDNY,” she advised Fox. “Naturally when he came upon about what was taking place in Ukraine he was desirous to volunteer.”
