In eastern Ukraine, a Briton has died as a prisoner of war by troops deployed by the Kremlin. This was announced by a representative of the occupying forces, Darya Morozova, according to the Russian agency Interfax on Friday (July 15).
According to his family, Paul Urey was a humanitarian worker in Ukraine. In April he was accused of “mercenary activity” by Russian troops and captured. The term mercenary is repeatedly used by the Kremlin to discredit international aid workers in Ukraine.
A medical examination of the 45-year-old revealed chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung and kidney weakness and several cardiovascular problems, said Morosowa. “Because of this diagnosis and the stress, he died on July 10.” The exact circumstances of death could not be independently verified.
Despite “the seriousness of the crimes” with which he was accused, Urey received “appropriate medical care” in detention, according to Morosowa.
According to media reports, Urey was traveling with an aid transport in the contested Zaporizhia region in south-eastern Ukraine when he was arrested by Russian troops. In an interrogation video shown on Russian state television, Urey stated that he had also fought in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. This information cannot be verified independently.
The UK-based aid organization Presidium Network announced on April 29 that two of its known humanitarian workers, Paul Urey and Dylan Healy, had been captured by the Russian army in southern Ukraine. There they tried to bring a woman and her two children to safety.
Urey’s mother had stated that her son was on a relief mission in Ukraine. She also said that he suffers from diabetes and is dependent on insulin doses.
The occupying forces have sentenced to death several foreigners whom they see as mercenaries in the service of Ukraine. Urey was not among those convicted.
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