A British serviceman who died in a road traffic incident in Ukraine has been named as Major Paul Wilks, the Ministry of defense has said.
The officer, who was 40, died away from the front lines on September 12.
The MoD previously confirmed his death was ‘not the result of hostile action’.
defense Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Major Wilks served this country with pride and dedication. His loss will be deeply felt by those around him.
‘The tributes paid by those who worked with Paul illustrate his exceptional talent and ability, underscored by genuine warmth, compassion and a desire to support others.
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‘His loss is a poignant reminder of the enormous sacrifice that our Armed Forces and their families make in the service of our country.
‘My thoughts remain with his family, loved ones and colleagues.’
Major Wilks joined the Intelligence Corps in 2012, staying there throughout his career as he was promoted to the rank of Major.
He was deployed on multiple operational tours, including to Afghanistan, and was recognized with two Operational Service Medals.
He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in May this year.
The Ministry of defense said on Facebook: ‘Major Wilks was an exceptionally bright and professional officer who embodied the best of the UK military. He was a gifted leader who earned the admiration and respect of all those fortunate enough to have served alongside him.
‘He was a formidable officer, colleague and friend to all those who knew him.
‘Above all, Major Wilks was a proud family man and was devoted to his wife and two sons.’
‘Our thoughts are with Major Paul Wilks’ family, friends and colleagues at this devastating time.’
The news came after Boris Johnson escaped a Russian drone strike which narrowly missed a train he was riding across the Ukrainian border.
A rocket attack struck the train just minutes behind the former prime minister, who was travelling back to Poland from a security conference in Kyiv.
According to reports, there was an air raid alarm while Mr Johnson’s train was at the station.
He was, however, unharmed in the strike, which saw ‘swarms of Shaheds in the sky’ at 5am on Sunday.
Johnson then took to X on Sunday to say: ‘I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning.
‘What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day – even on civilian railways. So far Putin has been responsible for the deaths of 1,700 staff of Ukrzaliznytsia – Ukrainian Railways. They and their daily passengers are absolutely heroic.’
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