The remains of a U.S. citizen who was killed during the conflict in Ukraine are being released from Ukraine custody and brought back to the United States.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said U.S. citizens shouldn't travel to Ukraine during this time and that there are other ways to help, according to an Oct. 26 news release.
“Our condolences to the family of the U.S. citizen killed in Ukraine, whose remains are being returned. We thank Ukraine for ensuring the remains were included in the exchange so the family can be granted some peace,” Price said in a post on Twitter.
The return and identification of the American was made possible through Ukrainian negotiations with Russia. Price said the U.S. appreciated help from Ukraine by including this individual’s recovery in its negotiations with Russia, according to the release.
The identity of the deceased American was not released out of respect to the family, nor any further details surrounding their death, the release reported.
Price warned U.S. citizens currently in Ukraine should depart immediately when a safe opportunity presents itself and said the U.S. could not guarantee their safety while in Ukraine, the release reported.
Price acknowledged U.S. citizens may want to travel to Ukraine to help, such as participating in the fighting there, according to the release. However, he encouraged them to devote efforts toward the many existing efforts to help Ukraine and its people. He provided a website link offering information on how to help Ukrainians in a productive and safe manner.
