- Senior coroner for Oxfordshire Darren Salter has ruled that British paratrooper Lance Corporal George Hooley died following an explosion in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability.
- The 28-year-old soldier, who served in the Parachute Regiment, sustained multiple injuries away from the front line on 6 December and underwent emergency surgery before dying in a hospital in Kyiv on 9 December.
- The inquest was conducted privately in writing without a public hearing following requests from L/Cpl Hooley's family, with sensitive details regarding the exact defensive technology and location kept confidential.
- Coronial findings confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fatal incident, although the Coroner said he was provided with only “limited evidence” and did not address what the evidence was.
- Described by his company commander as an exceptional soldier and a model of professionalism, L/Cpl Hooley had served since 2015 and was on the verge of being promoted to Corporal at the time of his death.
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