US Marine killed in Ukraine during civilian evacuation in Bakhmut

Last month in Ukraine, a US Navy veteran was killed while evacuating civilians from the war-ravaged city of Bakhmut.

Cooper “Harris” Andrews, 26, died on the outskirts of town when a mortar hit him around April 19, his mother told CNN.

The embattled mining town has been bombed by Russian troops seeking to take power, while Ukrainian soldiers try to keep Bakhmut under their rule.

Bakhut leads to an access road known as the ‘road of life’, as this is the only way Kyiv front troops can replenish their food and ammunition supplies as they evacuate the critically wounded to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar.

Andrews, who is from Ohio, was helping civilians escape from Bakhut when he was hit. His body has not yet been recovered as the ongoing battle continues in the eastern city.

He was evacuating civilians from the war-torn city of Bakhmut last month when he was hit. Pictured: Bakhmut, Ukraine on May 1

The Marine vet was in a war-torn country working with the Foreign Legion, a group dedicated to helping Ukrainian troops. He left in November and was due to return home earlier this year.

Despite his contract with the group expiring in March, Andrews decided to stay behind, his mother told the news outlet.

The 26-year-old served in the US Marines from 2017 to 2022 as a ground electronic transmission system maintainer, according to Task and goal.

He had earned several awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

The soldier also worked for the Resistance Committee – anti-authoritarian initiative.

Despite several confirmations, the US State Department declined to identify Andrews as the soldier who died last month.

“We are in contact with the family and are providing all possible consular assistance,” a spokesperson told the news outlet. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy at this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.”

Andrews, who is from Ohio, was helping civilians escape from Bakhut when he was hit. His body has not yet been recovered as the ongoing battle continues in the eastern city

The Marine vet was in a war-torn country working with the Foreign Legion, a group dedicated to helping Ukrainian troops

Despite his contract with the group expiring in March, Andrews decided to stay behind to help Ukrainian citizens. In the photo: the Donetsk region

The embattled mining town has been bombed by Russian troops seeking to take power, while Ukrainian soldiers try to keep Bakhmut under their rule. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers near Bakhmut’s front line

Bakhut leads to an access road known as the ‘road of life’ as this is the only way for the troops on the Kiev front line to replenish their food and ammunition supplies as they evacuate the critically wounded to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar .

Andrews was described by his former colleagues as “goofy” and “a great Marine” who was passionate about helping others

Andrews was described by his former colleagues as “goofy” and “a great Marine” who was passionate about helping others.

“Cooper was always so goofy, he was also passionate and dedicated to his duties,” Zach Deck, a former Navy sergeant, told the news outlet.

Deck got to know Cooper after serving closely with him from 2018 to 2021.

“He was super passionate about helping people he thought were oppressed, or whoever.

“I miss him among the others. It’s safe to say he’s made my life better and I can’t wait to hopefully see him again one day.”

In a series of tweets from journalist Jake Hanrahan, Andrews was seen laughing with his friends and dressed in his military uniform.

One of Andrew’s last messages to an unknown friend showed a picture of him with a sledgehammer and a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

“When I’m being tortured, remember me with my hammer,” he wrote in the text.

To which his friend replied, “Your hammer will live on forever.”

“Putin’s regime must die anyway,” Andrews replied. “Mankind’s hope is that I am Kharkov, the city must survive.”

One of Andrew’s last messages to an unknown friend showed a photo of him with a sledgehammer and a cigarette hanging from his mouth