American volunteer fighter died in Ukraine, family says

American volunteer fighter died in Ukraine, family says

A US citizen died while volunteering in the fighting in Ukraine Friday, his family told CNN.

Edward Wilton, 22, of Florida, had been in Ukraine for nearly a year at the time of his death, his half-brother Parker Cummings told CNN by phone Wednesday.

The US Embassy told the family of his death Monday, Cummings said.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN the deaths of US citizens in Ukraine but did not identify them, citing respect for the families’ privacy. The spokesperson added, “We are in touch with the families and providing all possible consular assistance.”

Wilton felt compelled to join forces to help the Ukrainians, Cummings said. Wilton told him in a message last April that he was on a plane to Ukraine, he added.

“I talked to him through Signal the app and asked him to come home all the time,” Cummings said. “He would say ‘I have to stay here with my guys and do what’s right.’”