A former British soldier fighting in Ukraine against Putin's army has been killed in combat. "Hero" Ben Budgie Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth, had served on the frontline for three years.

A comrade of Ben - known only by his call sign Azrael - said the British fighter was a true believer in Ukraine's right to be a free and independent state. He told the Kyiv Post: "A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free.

“And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.”

A funeral was held for the former British soldier at Kyiv's main crematorium, and was attended by 40 people - including family, friends and fellow soldiers.

In moving scenes, some hugged his coffin and gently laid sunflowers and roses on its top.

The coffin was draped in British and Ukrainian flags, while Ukraine's national anthem was also played at the ceremony.

Reports suggest he was killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine’s Sumy region, where Russia has recently launched a major offensive.

Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th airborne assault regiment, said Burgess first served in Zaporizhzhia with the artillery, before working with “medevacs” in Donetsk.

He then fought as a FPV drone pilot which “became his obsession and expertise”.

“He was among the best pilots we had,” said his comrade.

Azrael added: “We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment.

“He was my family here. I’ve lost many friends in this war – he’s my biggest loss.”

Burgess was single but had a girlfriend in Odesa and a “legacy of friendship and commitment”, he said.

Moving messages were left at a memorial site on Maidan Square in the centre of Kyiv.

One read: “Thank you for protecting", while another said “Love you brother, until we meet again.”