Stefan Sivers, 35, from Aberdeen, was fighting against Russia in Ukraine but is now missing and feared dead
A Scottish man who was fighting against Russia in Ukraine is missing and feared dead.
Stefan Sivers, 35, from Aberdeen, is reported to have died in the Kharkiv region. Mr Sivers is said to have travelled to Ukraine in December last year after having shown support for Ukraine on social media since 2022.
The Foreign Office confirmed he is now missing. An FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national missing in Ukraine and are in contact with the local authorities.”
The Foreign Office advises against travel to Ukraine and surrounding areas, and has said that the British government’s ability to support British nationals in Ukraine is very limited.
After Putin’s invading forces started the conflict in February 2022, Mr Sivers’ Facebook account features two selfies with him posing alongside a graphic showing the Ukraine flag, the Daily Record reports.
He also posted: “It ain’t 1918 why should man be in the trenches.”
His social media accounts show he worked in restaurants but he does not appear to have served in the military, like most mercenaries in Ukraine.
The FCDO website also explains that British nationals who travel to participate in the conflict are at risk as “British nationals fighting in Ukraine have been killed or captured”.
It continues: “Since 18 May 2024, British nationals who join the International Legion or Ukraine Armed Forces have to serve at least six months and are not allowed to leave Ukraine during this period.”
It added: “The British government’s ability to support you in these circumstances is very limited. It cannot facilitate your departure from Ukraine, your medical repatriation, or termination of your military contract.”
