Friends gather to remember volunteer killed trying to help civilians in Ukraine

People have gathered at a cathedral in Kyiv to say goodbye to a dual New Zealand-British citizen who was killed while trying to help people in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Andrew Bagshaw, 47, went missing this month along with another British volunteer, Christopher Parry. They were heading to Soledar to try to evacuate people from the frontline town.

Volunteers spoke about their memories of Mr Bagshaw and read tributes from his family.

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Nikolletta Stoyanova, a friend in Ukraine, shared memories of his bravery, saying: "Even if no-one wanted to go to Soledar, they can do that. Because if he understood that someone needs help, they need to do this help for these people."

Mr Bagshaw's father, Phil, told reporters in New Zealand that his son wanted to do something to help.

"He was a very intelligent man, and a very independent thinker," he said.

"And he thought for a long time about the situation in Ukraine, and he believed it to be immoral. He felt the only thing he could do of a constructive nature was to go there and help people."

Ukrainian police said on 9 January that they lost contact with Mr Bagshaw and Mr Parry after the two headed for Soledar. Their bodies were later recovered.

In a 24 January statement, Mr Parry's family said he was "drawn to Ukraine in March in its darkest hour".

It added that he had "helped those most in need, saving over 400 lives, plus many abandoned animals".

Friends said the men's bodies would be handed over to relatives in the UK.