Shan-le Kearns, 26, is the fourth New Zealander known to have died in Ukraine. Photo: Supplied
A New Zealand man helping Ukraine's war efforts is thought to have been killed in the past few weeks.
Twenty-six-year-old Shan-Le Kearns came from Christchurch.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it had not yet received any confirmation from Ukraine authorities but is urgently seeking informaton.
It said the process may take some time given the situation on the ground in Ukraine.
For privacy reasons, the ministry said no further information can be shared.
Kearns' mother, Elis Kearns told 1News that he was not on the front line but had been trained in combat so he could help rescue injured soldiers.
He had been in Ukraine for two years and was going to stay for another to fulfil his three-year contract, she said.
Kearns would be the fourth New Zealander known to have died in Ukraine. Dominic Abelen, 28, was killed on 23 August 2022; Andrew Bagshaw, 47, on 6 January 2023; and Kane Te Tai, 38, on 20 March 2023.
