Former U.S. Marine killed while fighting in Ukraine

Ukrainian and American flags
(Image credit: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Former U.S. Marine Willy Joseph Cancel was killed while fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine, ABC News reports.

Cancel, age 22, reportedly volunteered to travel to Ukraine and fight after Russia invaded. CNN says he "was working with a private military contracting company" since mid-March, and was killed Monday.

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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that Cancel "certainly sounded like a very passionate young man," expressing her condolences to his family. She also urged others not to travel to Ukraine at this time. "We know people want to help, but we do encourage Americans to find other ways to do so," she said.

Cancel's wife Brittney Cancel said he "went there wanting to help people, he had always felt that that was his main mission in life." Read more at CNN.

Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.