Ukraine has paid its respects to a ‘hero’ British drone pilot who was killed earlier this month fighting on the frontline against Vladimir Putin’s troops.
Ben ‘Budgie’ Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth, was a former British Army serviceman who volunteered to fight in Ukraine following the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022.
He had served on the frontline for three years, according to members of his unit.
A funeral attended by 40 people, including family and friends, was held at Kyiv’s main crematorium for the volunteer, the Kyiv Post reported.
His coffin was draped in the British and Ukrainian flags as fellow soldiers held framed pictures of the fallen drone pilot.
Russian sources had earlier claimed the British fighter – full name Benjamin Leo Burgess, call sign Budgie – had been ‘eliminated’.
Reports suggest he was killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine’s Sumy region, on June 20.
Another British volunteer soldier – identified only by his call sign Azrael – said: ‘A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free.
‘And he was willing to fight for that. And he did.
‘He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.’
Ukraine has paid an emotional tribute to “hero” British drone pilot Ben “Budgie” Burgess
A soldier holds a frame picture of Ben Burgess at his funeral
A young Ben Burgess is seen in this image shared to social media
His coffin was draped in the British and Ukrainian flags as fellow soldiers held framed pictures of the fallen drone pilot
Reports suggest he was killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine’s Sumy region, on June 20
The Kyiv Post reported: ‘Family, friends, and fellow soldiers stood together, some hugging his coffin as sunflowers and roses were laid gently on top.
‘The Ukrainian national anthem played as a final tribute.’
Azrael, from Ukraine’s 78th airborne assault regiment, said Burgess first served in Zaporizhzhia with the artillery, before working with ‘medevacs’ in Donetsk.
He then fought as a first-person-view (FPV) drone pilot, which Azrael said ‘became his obsession and expertise’.
‘He was among the best pilots we had,’ said his comrade.
‘He came to Ukraine because he truly believed in its freedom. And he died fighting for that.’
Azrael said: ‘We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment.
‘He was my family here. I’ve lost many friends in this war – he’s my biggest loss.’
Burgess was single but had a girlfriend in Odesa and a ‘legacy of friendship and commitment’, he said.
Messages left on Maidan Square read: ‘Thank you for protecting… Love you brother, until we meet again… Ben was a true Cossack… Forever in my mind, heart, and soul.’
