British aid worker captured by Putin-backed separatists in Ukraine has died while held in custody accused of ‘mercenary activities’, Russian media claims

A British aid worker captured by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine has died in detention, Kremlin media has claimed.

Paul Urey was detained in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine, charged with ‘mercenary activities’ by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

‘He died on July 10,’ Darya Morozova, a representative of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, said on Telegram, adding that he had diabetes.

Non-governmental organisations describe Urey as a humanitarian who worked as an aid volunteer in Ukraine, while Moscow-backed separatists insist he was a ‘professional’ soldier.

In May, Mr Urey was shown on Russian television calling the UK Government ‘corrupt’ in what was thought to be a scripted statement. 

MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office. 

British aid worker Paul Urey who was captured by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine has died in detention, Kremlin media has claimed

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