By Nakiwala Barbra
Daniel Burke, a 36-year-old former British paratrooper, was unlawfully killed by a fellow fighter far from the frontline in Ukraine, a coroner has concluded.
Burke, who had volunteered to assist Ukrainian forces against Russia, was found buried in an underground pipe at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region in August 2023. Manchester Area Coroner Zak Golombeck described Burke as a man of “bravery and valour” who was tragically killed by “cowardice and dishonour.”
The suspect, an Australian national identified as Abdelfetah “Adam” Nourine, initially told Ukrainian police the killing was accidental, claiming Burke was shot during a training exercise. However, evidence from Greater Manchester Police and Ukrainian authorities contradicted this account. Ballistics tests showed Burke had been shot at least three times—in the head, neck, and chest—with an assault rifle that could not have discharged accidentally. Burke was reportedly unarmed and unable to defend himself at the time of the killing.
Burke, originally from Manchester, had previously fought against the Islamic State group in Syria with a Kurdish militia, driven by his response to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
He later formed Dark Angels, a group of ex-military personnel focused on evacuating the wounded from frontline areas. His family described him as a compassionate and courageous individual committed to helping others in conflict zones.
The suspect, Nourine, fled Ukraine after leading police to Burke’s body and remains wanted by Ukrainian authorities. The coroner’s findings highlight the betrayal Burke faced in his final moments, leaving his family devastated. His mother, Diane Snaith, described her heartbreak as insurmountable, saying, “Daniel’s gone in such an awful manner that I’ll never, ever get over it.”
