A RUSSIAN mercenary group has claimed to have found the body of one of two British aid workers missing in Ukraine.
Christopher Parry (28) and Andrew Bagshaw (48) disappeared after travelling to Soledar in eastern Donetsk, where heavy fighting has been reported.
The Wagner Group, a controversial military contractor accused of war crimes in the past, said one of the men had been found, but did not confirm a name.
Downing Street has called the claims “deeply concerning” and warned they had not been verified.
The post from the Wagner Group said: “On January 8, the Ask Wagner hotline received a request to find two British citizens who disappeared on January 6 in Soledar – Andrew Bagshaw and Christopher Parry.
“Today the body of one of them was found, documents on both Britons were found with him.”
Mr Parry’s family have previously expressed concern for his health and whereabouts.
His parents, Philip and Susan, had already confirmed their son was missing and said they were “very grateful for all the agencies from both London and New Zealand who are working so hard to find him”.
A family spokeswoman said they are “immensely proud” of his work, which involved delivering food and medicine as well as helping elderly people move away from the front-line.
The British Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the families of two British men who have gone missing in Ukraine.
“We are aware of recent reports and are in touch with the Ukrainian authorities.”
