Two Americans died while fighting for Ukraine in the eastern region of Donbas, according to the State Department.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the two deaths and stated the administration is providing “all possible consular assistance,” according to a Reuters report.
The causes of the deaths were not revealed.
“Out of respect to the families during this difficult time, we have nothing further,” the spokesperson added.
One of the two people killed was reportedly named Luke Lucyszyn, his mother confirmed to ABC News.
The two deaths add to at least three other Americans who have died in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion. The previous deaths include Jim Hill, who died in the capital of Kyiv in March; former U.S. Marine Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, killed in April; and Stephen Zabielski, 52, who died in May.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has extended five months since its launch on February 24. Recent attacks have focused on the eastern areas of Odesa, in the region of Kirovohradska, the Kherson region, and Donbas.
Russian defense officials announced on Sunday that it had conducted a successful strike on Ukraine’s port of Odesa less than a day after the two nations had signed an agreement to resume grain shipments.
The attack reportedly included four cruise missiles. Ukrainian forces shot down two missiles, while the remaining two hit “military targets” in the region.
The grain agreement, signed in Istanbul, Turkey, is intended to allow both nations to transport grain and fertilizers despite the military conflict.
“The grain export agreement, critically important for global food security, will be signed in Istanbul tomorrow under the auspices of President Erdoğan and UN Secretary General Mr. Guterres together with Ukranian (sic) and Russian delegations,” Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wrote in a tweet.
The grain export agreement, critically important for global food security, will be signed in Istanbul tomorrow under the auspices of President Erdoğan and UN Secretary General Mr. Guterres together with Ukranian and Russian delegations.
— İbrahim Kalın (@ikalin1) July 21, 2022
The grain agreement was meant to offer international guarantees that Russia’s military forces would not attack Ukrainian ships transporting grain or fertilizer in the Black Sea. Russia likewise has accused Ukraine of setting up sea mines in ports to block Vladimir Putin’s nation from safe grain shipments.
Since Russia’s invasion, the U.S. has continued to play a vital role in offering financial assistance to Ukraine. The Defense Department announced on Friday that it would send another round of financial support for $270 million to help the war-torn nation.
The Biden administration has sent Ukraine more than $8.2 billion in aid since President Joe Biden was inaugurated. A total of $7.3 billion has been announced since Russia invaded in February.
“Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $270 million in additional security assistance for Ukraine,” the Defense Department said in a press release on Friday. “This includes President Biden’s announcement of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $175 million, as well as $95 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.”