Latest news with #Azrael
The Sun
14-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Meerkat on leash at KL shopping centre sparks animal cruelty row
A viral TikTok showing a meerkat tied to a chair at a pop-up petting zoo in a Kuala Lumpur shopping centre has sparked widespread outrage, with many Malaysians questioning the legality and ethics of the setup. In the video, originally posted by TikTok user @aiza, the meerkat — an animal native to the African continent — is seen pacing in circles on a leash, appearing restless and exposed. A donation box labelled 'donation for the animals' was placed nearby, while the meerkat remained tethered in full view of the public. The user said she confronted the man collecting donations but was stunned by his casual response. 'I went to the guy collecting money and asked if the meerkat had been like this all day. He said, 'Yes, any problem??' Are you serious??' Hundreds of commenters voiced concern for the animal's welfare. User @tehyobgie remarked, 'Donation for animals but abuse animals? The heck!' Meanwhile, @Azrael added, 'This is truly heartbreaking. It wasn't born to live like this. It just wants to be free.' The outrage soon spread to Reddit, where user @Affectionate-Bug5452 clarified: 'Meerkats are under the 'exotic wildlife' category in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. You need a special permit from PERHILITAN to keep one — otherwise it's illegal.' Another commenter, @DangIt_MoonMoon, wrote, 'Malaysians are still not educated when it comes to being kind to animals. What the user posted is really some rubbish third world country nonsense.' While some debated whether meerkats are endangered, most agreed that using exotic animals to solicit donations is deeply unethical. @Appropriate-Rub3534 said, 'I would make a scene and call the manager to remove that. Whether endangered or not, torturing animals is not acceptable.' @kurangak added, 'Meerkats are very social animals. Poor thing had to live alone.' Calls for immediate reporting to PERHILITAN, Malaysia's wildlife department, have flooded both TikTok and Reddit. But @Affectionate-Bug5452 cautioned, 'Sometimes they only take action when it's actively happening.' As the video continues to circulate, animal lovers and welfare advocates are urging authorities to intervene before more animals are subjected to similar treatment.
Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
British soldier killed operating drones on Ukraine front line
A former British Army soldier has been killed while serving as a drone operator in Ukraine. Ben Leo Burgess, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, volunteered to join the Ukrainian fight against Russia in 2022 and saw action in some of the most brutal battles of the war. The 33-year-old, who went by the call sign 'Budgie', served at the front for three years until he was killed in the village of Andriivka in Ukraine's Sumy region on June 20, according to local reports. Mr Burgess, from the 78th Air Assault Regiment, was first deployed to the Zaporizhzhia region in south-east Ukraine with the artillery, before moving on to medical evacuations further east in Donetsk. He later specialised in flying first-person-view drones. His friend and fellow British volunteer, identified only by the call sign 'Azrael', told the Kyiv Post: 'He was among the best pilots we had. He came to Ukraine because he truly believed in its freedom. And he died fighting for that.' 'He fought well, fought bravely,' he added. 'We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment.' 'He was my family here. I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' 'Thank you for protecting' A funeral was held for Mr Burgess in Kyiv on Monday, which was attended by 40 friends, family and soldiers from his regiment. The Ukrainian national anthem was played and both the Ukrainian and British flags were draped over his coffin. Mourners then went to the city's Maidan Square to plant a flag for him at a memorial for fallen soldiers. Handwritten messages on the flag read: 'Thank you for protecting', 'Love you brother, until we meet again', and 'Forever in my mind, heart, and soul'. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Ukraine and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Metro
01-07-2025
- Metro
British volunteer killed 'fighting bravely' for Ukraine given final farewell
A final farewell has been paid to a highly regarded British drone pilot who joined Ukraine's fight 'because he truly believed in freedom.' Ben 'Budgie' Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth, is said to have died in combat with Vladimir Putin's forces after serving on the frontline for three years. The volunteer's funeral was held at the capital's main crematorium on Monday, with 40 family and friends in attendance, according to the Kyiv Post. British and Ukrainian flags were draped over his coffin. The British Army veteran — full name Benjamin Leo Burgess, call sign Budgie — was 'eliminated' on June 20, Russian sources claim. A fellow British volunteer soldier – identified only by his call sign Azrael – said: 'A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free. 'And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. 'He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.' The Post reported: 'Family, friends, and fellow soldiers stood together, some hugging his coffin as sunflowers and roses were laid gently on top. 'The Ukrainian national anthem played as a final tribute.' The pilot was killed in Andreevka, in the Sumy region, according to reports. The Post said he was born in southern England in 1992 before joining Ukraine's fight against Russia's all-out attack in 2022. Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th Airborne Assault Regiment, said his comrade first served in Zaporizhzhia with the artillery, before transitioning to 'medevacs' in Donetsk. He then fought as an FPV [first person view] drone pilot, which 'became his obsession and expertise'. 'He was among the best pilots we had,' said his comrade. 'He came to Ukraine because he truly believed in its freedom. 'And he died fighting for that.' In a reference to his British roots, a Ukrainian flag on Ben's coffin carried the words 'Royal Mail special delivery' alongside a picture of a quadcopter. Azrael added: 'We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment. 'He was my family here. More Trending 'I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' The British volunteer had a girlfriend in Odesa and a 'legacy of friendship and commitment', Azrael said. Messages left in Maidan Square read 'thank you for protecting' and 'love you brother, until we meet again.' Others read 'Ben was a true Cossack' and 'forever in my mind, heart, and soul.' Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Brits remembered in the 'Heart of Ukraine' after frontline deaths in the fight against Russia MORE: British medic in Ukraine evacuates wounded soldier from 'zero line' under Russian fire MORE: Drone operator named Shrek says 'this is for my parents' in strike on Putin base
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Daily Mail
'Hero' Brit fighter Ben 'Budgie' Burgess, 33, who became 'one of Ukraine's best drone pilots' is killed in action as dozens attend Kyiv funeral
Ukraine has paid its respects to a 'hero' British drone pilot who was killed earlier this month fighting on the frontline against Vladimir Putin 's troops. Ben 'Budgie' Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth, was a former British Army serviceman who volunteered to fight in Ukraine following the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022. He had served on the frontline for three years, according to members of his unit. A funeral attended by 40 people, including family and friends, was held at Kyiv 's main crematorium for the volunteer, the Kyiv Post reported. His coffin was draped in the British and Ukrainian flags as fellow soldiers held framed pictures of the fallen drone pilot. Russian sources had earlier claimed the British fighter - full name Benjamin Leo Burgess, call sign Budgie - had been 'eliminated'. Reports suggest he was killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine's Sumy region, on June 20. Another British volunteer soldier - identified only by his call sign Azrael - said: 'A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free. 'And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. 'He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.' The Kyiv Post reported: 'Family, friends, and fellow soldiers stood together, some hugging his coffin as sunflowers and roses were laid gently on top. 'The Ukrainian national anthem played as a final tribute.' Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th airborne assault regiment, said Burgess first served in Zaporizhzhia with the artillery, before working with 'medevacs' in Donetsk. He then fought as a first-person-view (FPV) drone pilot, which Azrael said 'became his obsession and expertise'. 'He was among the best pilots we had,' said his comrade. 'He came to Ukraine because he truly believed in its freedom. And he died fighting for that.' Azrael said: 'We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment. 'He was my family here. I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' Burgess was single but had a girlfriend in Odesa and a 'legacy of friendship and commitment', he said. Messages left on Maidan Square read: 'Thank you for protecting... Love you brother, until we meet again... Ben was a true Cossack... Forever in my mind, heart, and soul.'
The Sun
01-07-2025
- The Sun
‘Hero' Brit drone fighter, 33, killed defending Ukraine as grieving comrades hug flag-draped coffin in emotional funeral
A "HERO" Brit drone fighter was killed defending Ukraine against the Russian occupation. Tributes are pouring in for Benjamin Leo Burgess, 33, who served on the frontline for three years and was 'killed in combat'. 2 2 Burgess, from Portsmouth, first served in Zaporizhzhia with Ukraine's artillery regiment before becoming an FPV drone pilot. He had formerly served in the British army. A funeral attended by 40 people, including family and friends, was held at Kyiv's main crematorium for the Brit volunteer fighter. Russian sources had earlier claimed the Burgess, whose call sign was Budgie, had been 'eliminated'. He is understood to have been killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine's Sumy region. Fellow soldiers said Burgess was a hero and was among the "best pilots we had." Another Brit soldier - identified only by his call sign Azrael - said: 'A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free. 'And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. 'He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.' Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th airborne assault regiment, said Burgess' death was his biggest loss. He added: "We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment. 'He was my family here. I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' The "hero" fighter was given a funeral at the heart of Kyiv city. Emotional pictures show Burgess' coffin draped with the British and Ukrainian flag. Family and friends, as well as fellow soldiers, were seen standing together as flowers and roses were laid gently on top of his casket. Ukrainian locals left emotional messages for Burgess at Kyiv's Maidan Square. One of the messages read: "Thank you for protecting."
