An American has

reportedly become the first foreign casualty on the Ukrainian side of the military

conflict against Russian mercenaries and Kremlin-backed forces in eastern Ukraine.

Identified only under his nom de guerre of “Franko”, he reportedly

died from heavy artillery fire while trying to free the town of Ilovaisk in

Donetsk Oblast on Aug. 19 while serving in the volunteer Donbas Battalion,

Liviy Bereg photographer Maks

Levin stated on Facebook, citing another photographer, Maks Dondiuk, who has embedded himself in various Ukrainian

service units.