Irish man fighting in Ukraine is reported missing

A man from the Republic of Ireland, who has been fighting in Ukraine against Russian forces, is missing and presumed dead.

Alex Ryzhuk, a 20-year-old Irish citizen born to Ukrainian parents, travelled to Ukraine after turning 18, according to the Irish Times.

Mr Ryzhuk, from Dublin, had been serving alongside military forces in east Ukraine as a volunteer, but it is understood he was reported missing in recent weeks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.

“As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases,” the department said.

In an interview with The Irish Times in May, Mr Ryzhuk said that after training in Kyiv he joined the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, operating as a drone pilot, and was deployed to Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Kharkiv.

In a recent RTÉ' Prime Time interview, Mr Ryzhuk said he intended to return to Ireland to join the Defence Forces after the war in Ukraine concluded.

"War is not a joke, death in war is a very high probability," he told the programme. "It is something that constantly happens, even if it's not to you, it's to someone else, or to someone you know."

If confirmed dead, Mr Ryzhuk would be the fourth Irish man to die fighting in the war in Ukraine.

Graham Dale, aged 45, from Raheny in Dublin was killed in December 2023.

Finbar Cafferkey, who was also in his 40s and from Achill Island in County Mayo, died fighting in April 2023.

Rory Mason, 23, from Dunboyne in County Meath, died while fighting for Ukraine's International Legion near the Russian border in October 2022.

BBC News NI has asked the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine for comment.