Inquest finds British paratrooper died in Ukrainian weapons test explosion

A coroner has ruled that Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment, was killed by an explosion while assisting Ukrainian troops in the war with Russia. 1 2 Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire, concluded that Hooley sustained multiple injuries in an explosion on 6 December 2025 while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front line. 2 1 Hooley received emergency treatment at the scene and had surgery, but died in a hospital in Kyiv on 9 December 2025; Ukrainian documents showed he was treated in at least two hospitals. 2 1

The BBC reports he is the first British service member to die in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. 1 The inquest was held partly in secret this week, decided by the coroner alone in private. The coroner said the family had asked for it to be conducted in writing and that other parties were consulted, and he rejected a call for a public hearing. 2 1 Salter said he had only "limited evidence" about the circumstances and cause of the explosion, and that its location is unknown beyond being away from the front line. He found no suspicious circumstances and called the death "sadly straightforward". He had statements from Hooley's Army colleagues and British Army doctors. 2 1

The Ministry of Defence described the death in December as a "tragic accident" and called Hooley "an exceptional soldier". It has not answered questions about the circumstances of the explosion. 1 2 His company commander called him "a born soldier" and praised his professionalism and kindness. Hooley was from Wallingford, Oxfordshire. 1 2 It had not been public that paratroopers were in Ukraine before the incident. The government has never disclosed how many service people are there, but says a small number support Ukrainian forces and provide security for diplomatic staff. 2 1