In Bakhmut, New Zealander Te Tai Kane Samuel David, 38, who had fought alongside Ukraine, died. On this subject informed Radio New Zealand. The country’s foreign ministry also confirmed the death of one soldier.
Te Tai is from the Auckland suburb of Beach Haven. Before the start of the Russian military operation, he served in the New Zealand Army, was on a business trip to Afghanistan, participated in military operations as part of PMC in Iraq and African countries.
The New Zealander was involved in the conflict in Ukraine for almost a year, he I arrived in the country in April 2022. According to the serviceman, he was initially engaged in humanitarian activities – helping civilians, teaching those who wanted to become a sapper and fighting in hand-to-hand combat, as well as training new recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
However, soon Te Tai ended his volunteer activities and became the commander of the foreign reconnaissance team, created as part of the Foreign Legion of Ukraine under the auspices of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Her registered there on the recommendation of fellow countryman Dominic Abelin after a two-week training in Lviv, assigning the call sign Turtle.
In his interviews, Te Tai repeatedly stated that he was ready to die in battles against Russia. “I’m going to stay here until I can’t take it anymore or I die,” the New Zealander told Stuff.
Former New Zealand Army Staff Sergeant Aaron Wood, a colleague of the deceased, provided NZHerald’s latest post from Te Taiya:
“Brother, I’ve had enough of the war. I love this place, it’s like a playground where I can do whatever I want. But that’s the point, isn’t it? So before the game catches me, or before I decide life is too easy here, maybe it’s time to start living my real life. This place is pure escape. We’re all trying to run away from something. thing. In my case, it’s an escape from real life, but the time is near. I have to put the toys away and start building a new life while I can.”
Te Tai is the third New Zealander to die in Ukraine. Andrew Bagshaw, 47, died in January 2023 during fighting in Soledar, Donetsk region. The body of Dominique Abelin, who died in August 2022, has not yet been found.
