Global Affairs Canada says two more Canadians have died in the war between Ukraine and Russia, bringing the total number of Canadians killed in the conflict to 11.
Alain Derasp’s obituary indicates that the veteran of the Royal 22e Canadian Armed Forces Regiment, resident of Chicoutimi, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, and father of four children, died in Ukraine on February 27.
Warrant Officer Derasp, originally from Campbellton, New Brunswick, retired from the Canadian army on February 25, 2019, “after a career of more than 26 years,” indicates the obituary published on the 22e Regiment.
A military source who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media said Mr. Derasp was providing first aid training in Ukraine and died after an illness. .
Jean-François Ratelle was killed in combat, says his Ukrainian friend Anna Filippova.
Mr. Ratelle, who used the nom de guerre “Hrulf”, was originally from Joliette. He led a foreign fighter unit in Ukraine called the “Norman Brigade.”
Their deaths were first reported by the Russian government in social media posts containing photos of the two men and other personal details.
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