Six Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in an attack on a vehicle donated by Welsh miners just months ago.

The men died when their SUV was shelled by Russian artillery in August, according to a Ukrainian trade union.

The car was driven to Ukraine by Welsh miners as part of an aid convoy in February and some of the men who died were Ukrainian miners.

Attacks on donated vehicles have only now been revealed, including one which was destroyed in 2022.

It is not known if anyone was injured in that attack.

Former miner, Carwyn Donovan, has taken part in several aid trips to Ukraine
© BBC

Carwyn Donovan, 36 from Abercraf, Powys, drove the vehicle to Ukraine that was destroyed last month.

Looking at a picture of the wreckage, he points out the now barely visible sticker he placed on the front.

“You can just see the Ukrainian flag that we put on it before we left – it’s still there”, he said.

Mr Donovan has taken part in seven aid convoys to Ukraine.

He said knowing people were killed when the vehicle was attacked was “gut wrenching”.

“There’s an overwhelming sense of sadness for the lives lost but also a profound admiration for their bravery and their selflessness,” he said.

“There’s a feeling of helplessness and even guilt knowing that these people have paid the ultimate price for something which is in all of our interests.”

Thermal imaging of a vehicle donated in February and destroyed in August
© KVPU, the Independent Union of Ukrainian Miners

The attack in August happened in the Kharkiv area, not far from the Russian border.

“This aid is especially critical”, said Olesia Briazgunova, from the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine.

She said the vehicles in particular were “a vital aspect of Ukraine’s defence”.

The vehicles are used by “defenders, volunteers, medics and rescue services – and often save lives, especially in regions close to hostilities”, she added.

Welsh miners delivered medicine, warm clothing and vehicles to Ukrainian miners in Kyiv in February.

The link between Wales and Ukraine began in the 1980s when Ukrainian miners, then part of the Soviet Union, donated a portion of their wages to striking miners.

The donated vehicles have been used to take supplies to the front line and evacuate civilians from dangerous areas.

Mick Antoniw MS delivering aid and vehicles to Ukraine
© Mick Antoniw

There are currently hundreds, if not thousands of miners fighting in the war against Russia.

Ukrainian soldiers sent a video message to miners in Wales thanking them for the vehicles and aid.

They said: “Thanks to our British colleagues from the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers).

“Thank you to all the people of the UK for your continued support and help – the war continues,” they said.

Standing holding a Welsh flag in front of a donated vehicle they said: “We fight every day for our independence and peace in Ukraine and all of Europe.

“These vehicles help us to save lives – and bring our victory closer.”

The NUM, a cross-party Senedd group and Welsh businesses have donated 25 vehicles since the conflict began in 2022, with funds being raised for five more.

There are now plans for another aid convoy from Wales to Ukraine in October.

Ukrainian soldiers receiving vehicles and aid
© KVPU, the Independent Union of Ukrainian Miners

Former Welsh government counsel general Mick Antoniw travelled as part of the convoy in February.

The Pontypridd MS has Ukrainian heritage and relatives of his have been killed in the war.

He said the vehicles they were supplying “are vulnerable to artillery and drone attacks”.

“These vehicles which we deliver save Ukrainian lives on the front line”, he said.

In a statement issued by Salamatu F. Jibaniya, Head: (Press & Public Relations Department)Ministry of Steel Development.

The statement reads in part: “The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu who led a Nigerian delegation to Moscow, Russia from 14th – 21st September, 2024, on a working visit, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the original builders of Ajaokuta Steel Plant Messrs, Tyazhpromexport (TPE) and members of their consortium namely; Novostal M and Proforce Manufacturing Limited for the Rehabilitation, Completion and Operation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) in Kogi State, Nigeria.

“The call was accepted by the Russian Federation when a consortium led by Messrs, TPE visited the Steel Plant in Ajaokuta and the Iron Ore Mining site at Itakpe in August, 2024 for preliminary inspections leading to the invitation for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

“Prince Shuaibu who is driving Mr. President’s mandate for the revitalization, completion and operation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) said this is a bold step towards creating a sustainable base for the industrialization of the Nigeria economy, noting that The revival of the Steel sector will also reduce importation of Steel products into Nigeria which is estimated at over $4billion annually and will help save scarce foreign exchange.

“During the visit, the Nigerian delegation met with the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Mr. Alexey V. Gruzdev and the consortium led by TPE assured the Nigerian Delegation of the readiness of the Consortium to meet the expectations of the MoU with the Nigerian Government.

“The Nigerian delegation led by the Nigeria Minister of Steel also inspected the facilities of Messrs. Novostal M located in Balakovo in the Saratov region.

“The Plant which was in full operation during the visit has an Electric Arc Furnace capacity of 1.2Million metric tonnes of Steel products per annum with a staff strength of 3,900 workers.”

11plc, Total Energies, AA Rano, and other marketers have begun lifting Dangote Petrol from the Nigerian National Company (NNPC) Trading Limited at the rate of N765.99 per litre.

BusinessDay findings showed some petroleum marketers who were able to complete their payment processes on the NNPC trading payment portal commenced the lifting of petrol earlier this week under the existing agreement between marketers and the refinery.

Tunji Oyebanji, managing director, 11Plc, confirmed to BusinessDay on Thursday evening that some marketers have started lifting the products at N765.99 from Dangote Refinery through NNPC, the sole off-taker of product.

“We were among the first marketers to complete the payment on the NNPC portal. We have no direct arrangement with the refinery,” Oyebanji said.

BusinessDay learnt NNPC Retail, 11plc, Total Energies, A.A Rano are among the marketers that have picked up products from the refinery.

He added, “We don’t know the contractual financial arrangement between NNPC and the refinery but what I can confirm is we are buying at N765.99 from NNPC to lift Dangote petrol.”

– Business Day Nigeria