New York Volunteer Soldier Dies After Contacting Landmine in Ukraine

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Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

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The US State Department confirmed that another US citizen turned volunteer soldier died in Ukrainethe second death since the war began in February and thousands of foreigners joined the fight.

Magazine Rolling Stonesaid a State Department spokesman confirmed that Stephen Zabielski, 52, a US citizen and New York State native, was killed fighting in Ukrainebefore the information was official.

“We have been in contact with the family and have provided all possible consular assistance,” a spokesperson told VICE News. “Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing else.”

According to an obituary Zabielski, a worker in his thirties in the construction industry, was killed on May 15 while “fighting in the war in [la] Dorozhnyank village, Ukraine. He leaves behind a wife, five stepchildren and a grandson.

Zabielski’s death, allegedly by encountering a landmine while on patrolmarks the second confirmed American death since hostilities between Russia and Ukraine escalated in late February.