Californian Ethan Hertweck, 21, has been killed during a ‘ferocious battle’ against Russian forces in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, say fellow soldiers who paid tribute to ‘brave American brother in arms’

A 21-year-old US Marine veteran from California was killed as his unit tried to rescue one of their wounded during a “fierce battle” in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Ethan Hertweck was called a “brave American brother in arms” by fellow volunteer, British citizen Macer Gifford.

Gifford, who posted a photo of himself with Hertweck, said he was hit by Russian fire on December 11 as he carried a wounded friend to safety.

According to Gifford, Hertweck was a combat medic with the 131st Reconnaissance Battalion and recently changed his deployment so he could return to the front lines.

Hertweck's mother also posted on Instagram about her son's death and shared a painting of him painted by his team leader's wife. She revealed that her son was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

In that message, Leslie Hertweck also said her son would return home for Christmas on December 19 and for good.

In a heartbreaking post on social media, Hertweck, pictured far left, mother Leslie, center of the photo, revealed that her son would be returning home for good on December 19.

On December 11, Reuters reported that Russian forces launched a massive new offensive on the town of Avdiivka, where Hertweck was killed.

An X-post from one of Hertweck's brothers in arms stated that the medic had recently joined the front line

On December 11, Reuters reported that Russian forces unleashed a major new offensive on the town of Avdiivka, where Hertweck was killed, as part of their campaign to secure control of the eastern Donbas region.

According to Gifford, Hertweck had been involved in training Ukrainian troops outside the front lines until the recent attack. He left 'of his own accord to fight side by side in Avdiivka.'

Meanwhile, Leslie said she was contacted on December 8 by US officials who said her son's unit was involved in a “very heavy firefight.”

“This would be his last mission and then he would go home for good on December 19!” she added.

Leslie also posted a link to one PayPal page which has been set up to assist in the repatriation of Hertweck's remains and to cover any other funeral costs.

The page highlights the late Marine's Christian faith.

“Ethan dedicated his life to saving lives and helping citizens across Ukraine, believing that 'all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,'” one part reads.

A shocking social media post from the Russian Foreign Ministry openly mocked Hertweck's death

Hertweck grew up in Southern California. He has a sister, Hannah, and a brother, Gabriel. His father, John, is a high school math teacher, while his mother runs her own business

The Russian Foreign Ministry ridiculed Hertweck's death in a post on X.

“Another #US mercenary in #Ukraine,” the shocking post begins.

'Ethan Hertweck from #California came to Ukraine in mid-2023. After being identified by Russian monitoring sources, he appeared in the chat room where he mocked Russian soldiers.”

“Five days ago he was eliminated in the battles of Avdeevka,” the message read, with an accompanying photo of Hertweck.

Hertweck grew up in Southern California. He has a sister, Hannah, and a brother, Gabriel. His father, John, is a high school math teacher, while his mother runs her own business.

The family is known to be active in their family ministry which aims to spread Christianity in the Philippines. Both John and Leslie Hertweck graduated from the private Christian university Vanguard University.