A BRITISH soldier has tragically been killed by Russian troops while fighting out in Ukraine.
Hero Callum Tindal-Draper, 22, volunteered to battle against Vladimir Putin’s army after the tyrant invaded almost three years ago – as his family pay tribute to their “brave” son.
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Callum had been fighting alongside volunteer troops from the 4th International Legion in Ukraine when he was killed in action on November 5.
His family were told he was defending an observation point when it was targeted by Russian soldiers.
Callum – a former hospital worker from Cornwall – was described by his fellow military unit as an inspiration to them all.
His mum Caroline even said the battalion sent back video messages and handwritten letters to the family after his death as they said Callum was like a “little brother”.
The heartbroken mum said: “When we found out he’d died, there was just this hole which I can’t describe and it’s always going to be there.
“But to know that they are saying he inspired them and they called him their little brother because he was the youngest one out there, they really were a family unit, and that is helping heal us and helping us get by.
“Already that hole I thought could not be mended is being filled with overwhelming love from his family out there and it means so much.”
Callum’s dad Steven said hearing the fellow volunteers speak about their admiration for Callum made him feel so proud of his son.
Steven added: “It’s inspiring me to go out and think what can I do and how can I be as brave and courageous in the things that I do.
“I’ve got the bravest of the brave as a son as an inspiration and that’s really powerful.”
Steven also revealed the family had all begged the Cornwall lad not to go to the frontlines but he said he had to stand up to Putin’s regime.
He said: “We begged and begged and begged him not to go.
“But Callum said ‘dad, I’m not frightened of bullies and what’s going on in Ukraine is awful and someone needs to stand up for these people’.”
Callum’s body is yet to be flown home to the UK with his parents saying they are planning on burying him in Ukraine.
The 22-year-old planned to stay and live the rest of his life in Ukraine.
It comes after British soldier training Ukrainian forces to fight against Russia was tragically killed in a military exercise last month.
Special operations expert Corporal Chris Gill, 35, died on a night-time exercise with his Ranger Regiment on the Brecon Beacons mountains on October 16.
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