British paratrooper's death in Ukraine was caused by explosion, coroner rules
The first British soldier to be killed while on duty in Ukraine died as a result of an explosion, a coroner has ruled.
Lance Corporal George Hooley, who served in the Parachute Regiment, died in December 2025 "from an explosion while serving his country in the British Army in Ukraine", according to a Record of Inquest supplied to BFBS Forces News.
The exact location of the blast that killed LCpl Hooley is unknown.
Following the inquest, held in writing earlier this week, Senior Coroner for Oxfordshire Mr Darren Salter said: "LCpl George Hooley was a soldier in the British Army serving in the Parachute Regiment in Ukraine.
"On the early morning of 6/12/25 he sustained multiple injuries from an explosion while observing Ukrainian Forces test a new defensive capability away from the frontline.
"He received prompt emergency medical treatment at the scene and subsequently underwent surgery but died from his injuries in hospital in Kiev on 9/12/25."
The coroner was provided with Ukrainian documents confirming LCpl Hooley died in a hospital in Kyiv. He appears to have been transferred there from at least one prior hospital.
British Army doctors also provided evidence of his surgery and treatment in the wake of the explosion.
The coroner's ruling notes state that "limited evidence" was provided "concerning the circumstances and cause of the explosion (sensitive and/or secret)" but "sufficient evidence" was provided "of the fact that an explosion occurred resulting in his death."
The coroner also notes "consistent accounts" of the explosion and adds there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding LCpl Hooley's death.
The Ministry of Defence has previously acknowledged the presence of a number of Armed Forces personnel in Ukraine, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
However, the presence of paratroopers in Ukraine was not publicly known prior to LCpl Hooley's death.
LCpl Hooley was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in December last year. Members of the Parachute Regiment gathered in their maroon berets to pay tribute to the junior NCO, who was described by his company commander as a "soldier who made the hard days easy and the good days memorable".
His last words were also released by his family in a letter he intended to be opened upon his death.
They read: "If you are reading this, it means I didn't make it home.
"Please don't let that be the thing that breaks you.
"You know I was doing what I believed in as well as loved, with people I respected, and for reasons that matter to me, my country and democracy and freedom in this world.
"I was proud of what I was doing."
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