In November 2022, we reported about Daniel Nyström who voluntarily went to war-torn Ukraine to combat the Russian attacks. At the time, between 400 and 600 Swedish soldiers were on the ground, alongside Nyström, fighting for the International Legion and the Ukrainian army.

Nyström joined the war effort at the end of April. He was inspired by three Ukrainian friends who commuted to work in Skellefteå where he lived before his journey to Ukraine. Throughout this period, his mother, Nell Nyström, maintained regular contact with her son from her home in Kiruna.

On Wednesday evening, time stood still when the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered the devastating news that her son had been found dead.

– It was hard to comprehend. It's still incredibly, incredibly sad. Unfathomable, she said.

Daniel Nyström was discovered in his bed in an apartment in Kiev, and the cause of death is currently unknown. He was preparing to return home to Sweden to arrange for a passport, but fate had other plans.

– He hadn't been home for over a year. He couldn't just leave as he was no longer a volunteer but had signed a contract. He was looking forward to a brief rest, said Nell.

Nell is awaiting further contact with an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information on what the immediate future holds.

Among other things, Daniel Nyström was present when Cherson was liberated and was able to describe the horrific scenes that unfolded there. He also took part in the intense battles on the eastern front near Donetsk.