Former Irish soldier killed in action in Ukraine
A former member of the Irish Defence forces has been killed in action in Ukraine. Robert Deegan, aged 29, from Newbridge, Co Kildare, died on September 19.
The former elite army ranger went to Ukraine after the war broke out and was fighting in a special forces unit against the Russians as a mercenary soldier for the Ukrainian people.
He returned home after suffering serious facial injuries but went back to Ukraine this year, and died last Thursday.
Efforts are being made to recover his remains. The former army ranger was popular among his colleagues here. Mr Deegan also has family members who have served in the Irish Defence Forces.
The former elite army ranger went to Ukraine after the war broke out and was fighting in a special forces unit against the Russians as a mercenary soldier for the Ukrainian people.
He returned home after suffering serious facial injuries but went back to Ukraine this year, and died last Thursday.
Efforts are being made to recover his remains. The former army ranger was popular among his colleagues here. Mr Deegan also has family members who have served in the Irish Defence Forces.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs said it “is aware of reports and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases."
In October 2022, as he was travelling in a vehicle while on active duties, he was caught up in an improvised explosive attack. Mr Deegan suffered serious injuries, including to his face, and lost an eye as a result.
He was evacuated back to Ireland and underwent medical treatment and rehabilitation before returning to Ukraine earlier this year. He was a member of Special Unit Stugna in Ukraine, a special forces unit involved in complex and dangerous missions.
It is understood he was fatally wounded while covering his team’s retreat from an area during fighting with Russian forces.
Mr Deegan worked in the emergency services for a period, outside his time in the Defence Forces. Sources described him as a high performing athlete when he was in his teens and into his 20s, though his military career took precedence as he got older.
The Defence Forces was also contacted for comment on Sunday. It is understood some of the dead man’s family and loved ones were still being traced to be informed of his death.
In August, 20-year-old Alex Ryzhuk from Rathmines in south Dublin was officially deemed missing in action by the Ukrainian military while serving on the frontline in the war against Russia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it “is aware of reports and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases."
In October 2022, as he was travelling in a vehicle while on active duties, he was caught up in an improvised explosive attack. Mr Deegan suffered serious injuries, including to his face, and lost an eye as a result.
He was evacuated back to Ireland and underwent medical treatment and rehabilitation before returning to Ukraine earlier this year. He was a member of Special Unit Stugna in Ukraine, a special forces unit involved in complex and dangerous missions.
It is understood he was fatally wounded while covering his team’s retreat from an area during fighting with Russian forces.
Mr Deegan worked in the emergency services for a period, outside his time in the Defence Forces. Sources described him as a high performing athlete when he was in his teens and into his 20s, though his military career took precedence as he got older.
The Defence Forces was also contacted for comment on Sunday. It is understood some of the dead man’s family and loved ones were still being traced to be informed of his death.
In August, 20-year-old Alex Ryzhuk from Rathmines in south Dublin was officially deemed missing in action by the Ukrainian military while serving on the frontline in the war against Russia.
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According to a Ukrainian medic familiar with the incident, Mr Ryzhuk, who went by the name “Irlandets” (“Irishman” in Ukrainian), was killed in a suspected Russian drone attack.
Speaking in New York, where he addressed the United Nations Summit of the Future yesterday, President Michael D Higgins extended his condolences to the family of the former Irish soldier, describing his killing as a “terrible tragedy”.
In reply to queries, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was “aware of reports” and was providing consular assistance. “As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases,” it added.
According to a Ukrainian medic familiar with the incident, Mr Ryzhuk, who went by the name “Irlandets” (“Irishman” in Ukrainian), was killed in a suspected Russian drone attack.
Speaking in New York, where he addressed the United Nations Summit of the Future yesterday, President Michael D Higgins extended his condolences to the family of the former Irish soldier, describing his killing as a “terrible tragedy”.
In reply to queries, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was “aware of reports” and was providing consular assistance. “As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases,” it added.
Mr Deegan had joined the Defence Forces 11 years a
go and secured a coveted place in the Army Ranger Wing in 2017. His father is a former Defence Forces member, who was also in the Army Ranger Wing, and his brother is a serving member of military. Sources described them as a very well regarded military family.
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