Simon Lingard, 38, from Blackburn, died on November 7, according to his family. Russia is in a major setback – follow Ukraine lately They wrote on a crowdfunding page about him: “My dad was an inspiration to all who knew him, a real life hero who died fighting for what he believed in. “He was loved and adored by so many, a true representation of what a soldier should be. “The Ukrainian Forces have offered to bring him home to England but we need help to show him the respect and adoration he deserves by giving him THE biggest send off he deserves.” The father-of-two, who was known to his friends as Grimmy, is believed to be the third British national to die so far in the conflict. Jordan Gatley, 24, died in June after leaving the British Army in March. Scott Sibley, 36, died in late April and was also a former member of the Armed Forces. Five more Britons were freed from Russian custody in Ukraine after a successful prisoner swap in September. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed that Shaun Pinner, Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill have returned safely to UK soil. Image: Jordan Gatley died in June. Photo: Dean Gatley/Facebook Image: Scott Sibley was reported dead in late April Tributes to the “modern warrior” Members of Mr Lingard’s family, friends and neighbors gathered in his hometown on Wednesday afternoon for a vigil. His friend Mickey Edwards, who originally flew with him to Ukraine, gave a moving speech in his memory. She described him as a “modern day warrior” who had a “heart of gold”. “He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for what was right, no matter what,” she said. Image: Mr Lingard’s friend Mickey Edwards gave a speech to mourners Mr Edwards said his friend had been in the British army for 15 years but was “extremely troubled” when he left. His ex-wife and mother of his children Stacey Longworth told Sky News: ‘I always thought he was indestructible. “He was a hero to everyone, he stood up for what he believed in.” Asked why she thought she traveled to the war zone, she added: “She thought it was wrong and went to help them.” Image: Remembrance poppies and candles at a vigil for Simon Lingard in his hometown It comes after Russian troops announced they were withdrawing from the annexed Kherson region. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered his troops to withdraw from the western bank of the Dnipro River in the face of Ukrainian attacks near the southwestern city of the same name. In televised comments, the general said it was no longer possible to supply the city of Kherson and suggested taking up defensive lines on the east bank of the river. It marks one of Russia’s most significant retreats and a potential turning point in the war, now nearing the end of its ninth month. Kherson was annexed along with three other regions – Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhia – in September. Sky News has contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for further comment.
