'It's a deep loss to all of us here': colleagues in Ukraine pay tribute to Chris Garrett

Manx veteran and bomb disposal expert killed in eastern Ukraine

Manx veteran Christopher Garrett has been described by colleagues in Ukraine as a 'lovable guy, completely dedicated to his work'.

The bomb disposal expert, from Peel, was killed yesterday (6 May).

The charity he co-founded, Prevail Together, says he and two other team members were seriously injured in an incident in Izyum in eastern Ukraine.

Board Member and Ambassador Shaun Pinner later confirmed that Chris had died, alongside another of the seriously injured crew - reportedly an Australian national.

The BBC is reporting that the UK Foreign Office is "In contact with the local authorities following the death of a British national in Ukraine."

'He dedicated so much of his life to clearing mines, and mine awareness. It really is what he was all about.' - Shaun Pinner, Prevail Together Board Member and Ambassador.

Shaun Pinner, a former British Serviceman and Ukrainian Marine, fought in Mariupol during Russia's invasion in 2022 and was captured and sentenced to death by Russian proxy forces before later being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange.

He'd worked with Chris since 2018.

Speaking to Manx Radio, Mr Pinner says: '[Chris] loved the people, the country, the culture, and really was against the injustices that Russia is committing here. That old saying; "you fight not for the enemy in front but for the love behind" - that was endemic of his spirit, really.'

You can listen to Mr Pinner's tribute to Chris (AKA 'Swampy') below:

Chris, in his early forties, had dedicated years to clearing landmines in Ukraine. Since 2014 he'd been providing 'mine risk education, clearance training, and support to military, police, and emergency services on and off the front line'.

He stepped up to volunteer after Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Earlier this year he was sentenced to 14 ½ years in jail by a Russian proxy court, on charges he said were 'ridiculous'.

Image: Chris Garret, via Instagram (Prevailtogether_ukr & bring_me_the_swampy)

Following the announcement of his death, a number of tributes have been paid to Chris online, from Manx residents and others further afield, many thanking him for his 'unwavering dedication' to Ukraine.

Karolina Davison, a trustee for the charity Manx Support for Ukraine, says Chris was 'a true hero and friend'.

In a statement on social media, Mrs Davion says: 'On behalf of all the trustees of Manx Support for Ukraine we are all shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the loss of our friend and hero, Chris Garrett (Swampy).