AWOL SEAL killed in Ukraine

WASHINGTON. A former U.S. Navy SEAL was killed in Ukraine this week, U.S. officials said on Friday. They said that he did not fight in an official capacity.

Daniel W. Swift is a former member of the Navy SEALs who has been on official records as defecting since March 2019. The Navy did not provide further information about his military record in the United States, but said: The sailor was in Ukraine.

The Navy said Swift was killed on Wednesday.

At least five other Americans are known to have died fighting in Ukraine, according to State Department statements and individual families.

The US government is discouraging Americans from going to war for Ukraine, citing fears that they could be captured by Russian troops and taken hostage. At least 6,000 people contacted the Ukrainian embassy in Washington in the first weeks of the war seeking information on how to volunteer on behalf of Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s military attaché last year, half of the potential volunteers were quickly turned down for lack of military experience, a criminal record or other unfitness for service.

An unknown number of Americans have joined the foreign fighters supporting Kyiv. Others volunteer for relief groups and human rights organizations.

The State Department declined to specifically talk about Swift’s death, but said in a statement that it could confirm the recent death of a US citizen in Ukraine.

“We are in touch with his family and provide all possible consular assistance,” the department said.