Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday said it is looking into reports that a Filipino national was among Russian troops killed in Ukraine. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the government has yet to receive official confirmation regarding the report. Castro emphasized that the Palace will first verify the details surrounding the reported incident, noting the necessity for the government to establish the full context.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ukraine's Military Intelligence identified the Filipino national as John Patrick, who had served in Russia's 9th Assault Company of the 3rd Battalion of the 283rd Regiment of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division in the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces. The HUR reported that the Filipino national, like many foreign fighters, was killed during what it described as a "meat assault" or heavy attack near the village of Novoselivka in the Kramatorsk district in the Donetsk region.

Castro noted that the matter would be coordinated with the Department of National Defense, stating, "Aalamin po natin mismo sa (We will coordinate directly with the) Secretary of Defense." The Department of Foreign Affairs is also in the process of verifying the report.