Jay Morais, a 52-year-old British volunteer fighter, has died in action after serving a year on the frontline in Ukraine. Morais was engaged in intensive street fighting in the Donbas cities of Severodonetsk and Bakhmut before being killed in a hospital in Kharkiv after being in combat with Russian troops.
A Look into Morais’s Life and Career
Before his deployment in Ukraine, Morais served in the French Foreign Legion, where he was deployed in Kosovo and the Ivory Coast. He had also previously worked in Bristol as a sales manager for a mobile phone firm. Morais was known to be a keep-fit enthusiast who would cycle 20 miles a day to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who was Jay Morais?
Jay Morais was a British volunteer fighter who fought on Ukraine’s frontline against Russian-backed forces in the Donbas region. He previously served in the French Foreign Legion and worked as a sales manager for a mobile phone company in Bristol before joining the Ukrainian forces. -
What was Ukraine’s International Legion?
Ukraine’s International Legion was a multinational fighting force set up by President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2020 to assist in the fight against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region. It consisted of volunteers from around the world, including many former military personnel. -
Where did Jay Morais die?
Jay Morais died in a hospital in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after being in combat with Russian troops in the Donbas region in late February 2023. -
How many British citizens have died while serving as volunteers with Ukraine’s armed forces?
Jay Morais is believed to be the fifth British citizen to have died while serving as a volunteer with Ukraine’s armed forces.