Volunteer from Estonia loses his life in Russia’s war in Ukraine

Tanel Kriggul, an Estonian volunteer serving with the International Legion, was killed in a Russian drone attack in the Donetsk region

The news was reported by the Postimees newspaper.

According to the information, the Estonian with the call sign "Stinger" was killed on the night of Saturday, September 30, near the town of Lyman, Donetsk region, as a result of an enemy drone attack on a private house where Tanel stayed for the night with his fellow soldier.

“The blast was so strong that only a pile of rubble remained of the house,” the article notes. 

Tanel had been actively involved in the Ukrainian International Legion (also known as the Foreign Legion) for the past year, contributing to the efforts in the region.

The publication received confirmation of Kriggul's death from three sources who are themselves part of the same legion.

This marks the second loss of an Estonian volunteer in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Earlier this year, in March, the news broke of the passing of Ivo Jurak, a former officer of the Estonian Defense Forces. Jurak fell victim to Russian artillery near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Like Kriggul, Jurak had been serving with the International Legion since the fall of 2022.