News
British Jewish volunteer killed in Ukraine identified as Jonathan Shenkin
The volunteer paramedic previously served in the IDF
February 15, 2023 12:20
The volunteer paramedic previously served in the IDF
February 15, 2023 12:20A Jewish “hero” from Glasgow who was killed in Ukraine has been named by his family as Jonathan Shenkin.
The IDF veteran, who died in December while volunteering as a paramedic, received a medal for valour in combat.
In 2009, Mr Shenkin helped to rescue an American citizen held hostage in the West Bank, his brother claimed in a tribute posted to Facebook.
In the post, Shenkin's brother said that the medic made the “ultimate sacrifice” to defend “values we all believe in."
Daniel Shenkin said: “Throughout his life he took reward in helping others, whether it be through volunteer work, training authorities, close protection or rescue.
“As well as volunteering his skills during natural disasters in the Philippines, he devoted much of his time to good causes.”
Mr Shenkin, who was 45 years old, was born and raised in Glasgow, before living in London and Malta and enlisting in the Israeli army.
After founding his own security business, he underwent two tours of Iraq, worked for the United Nations in Afghanistan, as a military medic in Oman, and in security in Angola and Somalia.
Mr Shenkin reportedly held contracts with America’s Department of Defence, NATO and the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan.
Mr Shenkin’s brother said: “As well as volunteering his skills during natural disasters in the Philippines, he devoted much of his time to good causes.
“His hard work and contributions resulted in multiple awards from various Philippine government authorities for training hand-to-hand combat, close protection and firearms.
“He trained the Special Forces in both the Philippines and South Korea, marines in Kabul, Drug Enforcement Agencies, The Philippine Bureau of Investigation, the military and the police in multiple countries.”
Mr Shenkin held a “lifelong passion” for Israel and supported democratic values, he added.
“He lived by the words of his signature: ‘All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy, hope.’ - Winston Churchill.”
Mr Shenkin is one of eight Britons known to have died in Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, he is survived by his son and daughter.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the local authorities.”