Human Rights
U.S. Marine veteran fighting with foreign legion killed in Ukraine, officials say
Cooper Andrews was among the American ex-military personnel who lost their lives during the conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion of the country
May 2, 2023 9:50am
Updated: May 2, 2023 9:50am
Cooper "Harris" Andrews, a U.S. Marine veteran, died last week in Ukraine while defending evacuees from a mortar attack during a battle for a crucial road to Bakmut, according to the Resistance Committee, an activist group in Ukraine.
Along with others who were killed, Andrews lost his life while serving as a member of the Foreign Legion, a group of foreign fighters who have been assisting Ukrainian forces since the country was invaded by Russia, according to Fox News.
Prior to serving in the Foreign Legion, Andrews served in the Marines from January 2017 to Jan. 16, 2022, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as a ground electronics transmission systems maintainer.
Andrews' family has been notified of his death, and the U.S. State Department has confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine, providing consular assistance to the family.
The conflict in Ukraine has continued for years, with Russian-backed separatists fighting against Ukrainian forces.
Andrews' death serves as a reminder of the risks that foreign fighters, including veterans, face when volunteering to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression, but also the bravery of people who continue to serve the cause of freedom even after leaving the military.
