New Zealander killed in Ukraine died trying to save fellow soldiers, RNZ understands

Shan-le Kearns, 26, is the fourth New Zealander known to have died in Ukraine.
Photo: Supplied

A Christchurch man who died in Ukraine while helping the country’s war efforts had earlier said he was living the dream.

Twenty-six-year-old Shan-Le Kearns, from Christchurch, died in the past few weeks.

He had posted on social media a slogan that translated to ‘Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes’.

A source in Ukraine told RNZ he had been trying to rescue wounded comrades when his group was hit by drones and explosives.

Kearns died attempting to save fellow soldiers, and a Finnish soldier was killed alongside him, the source said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it had not yet received any confirmation from Ukraine authorities and was urgently seeking information.

However, it said the process may take some time given the situation on the ground in Ukraine.

It said no further information could be shared, citing privacy reasons.

Elis Kearns told 1News that her son was not on the front line but had been trained in combat so he could help rescue injured soldiers.

He had been in Ukraine for two years and was intending to stay for another to fulfil his three-year contract, she said.

Kearns is the fourth New Zealander known to have died in Ukraine. Dominic Abelen, 28, was killed on 23 August 2022; Andrew Bagshaw, 47, on 6 January 2023; and Kane Te Tai, 38, on 20 March 2023.