The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Lance Corporal George Thomas Hooley died in Ukraine on 9 December 2025. In a notice published on 10 December, officials said he was fatally injured in an accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines. He was 28.
Lance Corporal Hooley was born on 12 February 1997 and joined the Army in November 2015. After topping his cohort on P Company he joined The Parachute Regiment, later earning distinctions on the Junior Non‑Commissioned Officers’ course in October 2020 and the Section Commanders’ Battle Course at the Infantry Battle School, Brecon. He was due for promotion to Corporal in January 2026 and had previously deployed to Afghanistan, Africa and Eastern Europe.
Tributes published by the Ministry of Defence described him as an exceptional soldier and junior leader. Defence Secretary John Healey said he served with distinction and would be deeply missed, and the Regiment’s leadership expressed condolences to his family.
The confirmation publicly records a UK military fatality on Ukrainian territory during a non‑combat activity. National outlets report this as the first publicly acknowledged death of a serving British soldier in Ukraine since Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022; the Prime Minister also issued condolences.
The UK’s principal training effort for Ukraine remains Operation Interflex, delivered on British soil with international partners. By 26 June 2025, more than 56,000 Ukrainian personnel had been trained, and ministers have extended the programme at least through 2026 with a sharper focus on leadership and instructor courses alongside basic infantry training.
Bilateral defence cooperation is framed by the One Hundred Year Partnership signed in Kyiv on 16 January 2025 and later ratified by the Verkhovna Rada on 17 September 2025. The Ukrainian parliament stated the agreement provides for at least £3.6 billion in annual UK military assistance until the 2030/31 financial year, alongside expanded training, defence‑industrial collaboration and work through the Joint Expeditionary Force.
Decisions to deploy UK service personnel overseas are taken under the Royal Prerogative. Parliament has no formal legal role in authorising deployments, though governments generally inform or consult the House of Commons under a non‑statutory convention, particularly for pre‑planned combat operations. Exceptions for emergencies and security considerations are recognised in official guidance and commentary.
Following any fatality or serious incident, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch can deploy worldwide and the Defence Safety Authority typically convenes a no‑blame Service Inquiry to identify causes and lessons. The DAIB must be notified immediately of serious occurrences, and inquiry findings inform improvements to procedures and equipment.
Completed Service Inquiry reports are usually published on GOV.UK, alongside earlier Boards of Inquiry and other investigation outputs. Timelines vary and publication can be affected by operational sensitivities.
The official notice also included a photograph captioned “Lance Corporal George Hooley with his dog Mabel”. The Parachute Regiment said it mourns his loss and extended sympathies to his family.