Lithuanian soldier killed in combat in Ukraine

VILNIUS – Tadas Tumas, a Lithuanian soldier who fought against Russian forces in Ukraine, was killed in combat on Friday, the 15min news site reported.

Sigitas Maliauskas, head of the Snake Island instructors' mission in Ukraine, confirmed this to the website.  

According to him, the Lithuanian man and a Ukrainian soldier were transporting mines to the front lines near Bakhmut when their vehicle was hit by a Russian drone. The family and the embassy have already been informed about the incident.

Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas also confirmed to 15min that he had information about the Lithuanian who fought and died in Ukraine. 

According to the website, Tumas is the first Lithuanian killed in combat in Ukraine.

Several Lithuanian fighters have been reported wounded in the fighting. One Lithuanian was also reported to have died, but it was later clarified that his death had not been caused by injuries sustained in combat.