First Taiwanese combatant dies in Russia-Ukraine war

Tseng Sheng-Kung, a 25-year-old volunteer, is the first Taiwanese soldier to die in combat in Ukraine.

Tseng traveled to Ukraine from Ji’an Township in Hualien County in June to fight against the ongoing Russian invasion of the country.

While serving in a volunteer battalion, Tseng was wounded and died of blood loss when his unit was attacked by the Russian army in Luhansk Oblast. Tseng’s comrades informed his family that he had been killed on Wednesday.

The news of Tseng’s passing was released on Friday. Of the approximately 10 Taiwanese soldiers who responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plea for international volunteers, Tseng’s family confirmed that he is the first to die in action.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The impacts of the Russo-Ukraine war have reverberated throughout the world, incentivizing worldwide volunteers to join the ranks of the Ukrainian army.

Additional reading:

For a first-hand account of the conflict, see NextShark’s exclusive interview with Asian American volunteer soldier Elliot Kim.

Featured Image via Facebook: jayjonathan.tseng

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