Daniel Burke is a former British soldier who volunteered to fight in Ukraine against the Russian-backed separatists. He was the leader of a group of foreign military volunteers called the Dark Angels, who carried out a daring ambush on a Russian tank in July 2022. He went missing in August 2023 and his fate remains unknown.
Daniel Burke Wiki Details
| Name | Daniel Burke |
| Age | 36 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Former Parachute Regiment member, builder, military volunteer |
| Marital Status | Unknown |
| Children | Unknown |
Has Daniel Burke Died?
Daniel Burke’s death cause is not confirmed, but there are several possible scenarios. He may have been killed by the Russians or their allies, who may have tracked him down after his tank attack. He may have been kidnapped by criminal gangs or rogue elements in Ukraine, who may have demanded ransom or tortured him for information. He may have also died in an accident or by suicide, as he was known to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Missing, Ukraine
Daniel Burke was last seen on August 11, 2023, when he lent his car to a comrade and said he was planning a night in. When the comrade returned the car to Burke’s flat in Zaporizhzhia, a city close to the front lines, he could not find him or reach him on the phone. His belongings, including his laptop and passport, were still in his flat. Local police are investigating his disappearance and the Foreign Office is liaising with his family in Britain.
Daniel Burke’s military service
- Daniel Burke is 36 years old as of 2023.
- He joined the Parachute Regiment at the age of 16 and served in Afghanistan, where he witnessed the horrors of war and lost some of his friends.
- He left the army in 2014 and worked as a builder until he decided to volunteer in Syria in 2017, where he fought against ISIS with the Kurdish YPG group.
- He was arrested when he returned to the UK in 2019 and spent seven months on remand in Wandsworth Prison after being accused of helping the YPG plan “acts of terrorism” against Turkey. The case against him was eventually dropped.
- He went to Ukraine in 2020 after the Russian invasion and formed his own volunteer military unit, the Dark Angels, which consisted of former soldiers from Britain, France, America, and other countries.
- He was involved in several combat missions against the Russians and their proxies, including destroying a Russian tank with a US Javelin missile in July 2022.
- He switched from combat roles to humanitarian roles after witnessing the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. He helped with front-line evacuations and medical aid.
- He went missing in August 2023 and his fate remains unknown.
Wife & Kids
Daniel Burke’s wife is not publicly known. He may have been married or divorced before joining the military or after leaving it. He may have also had a girlfriend or partner in Ukraine or elsewhere. However, he did not mention any romantic relationships in his interviews or social media posts.
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Who are Daniel Burke’s Family Members?
Daniel Burke’s family consists of his parents and siblings, who live in Manchester. His father is a retired police officer and his mother, Diane is a nurse. He has two brothers and a sister, who are supportive of his decision to volunteer in Ukraine. His family has been worried about his safety and well-being since he went missing and they are hoping for his return.
Quick Facts
- Daniel Burke grew up on the Wythenshawe housing estate in Manchester, which is one of the largest council estates in Europe.
- He joined the Parachute Regiment at the age of 16 and served in Afghanistan, where he witnessed the horrors of war and lost some of his friends.
- Burke left the army in 2014 and worked as a builder until he decided to volunteer in Syria in 2017, where he fought against ISIS with the Kurdish YPG group.
- He was arrested when he returned to the UK in 2019 and spent seven months on remand in Wandsworth Prison after being accused of helping the YPG plan “acts of terrorism” against Turkey. The case against him was eventually dropped.
- Daniel went to Ukraine in 2020 after the Russian invasion and formed his own volunteer military unit, the Dark Angels, which consisted of former soldiers from Britain, France, America, and other countries.
- He named his unit after a character from a video game called Mass Effect, which he played during his downtime.
- Daniel was involved in several combat missions against the Russians and their proxies, including destroying a Russian tank with a US Javelin missile in July 2022.
- He switched from combat roles to humanitarian roles after witnessing the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. He helped with front-line evacuations and medical aid.
- He suffered from PTSD and depression as a result of his experiences in war zones. He said he had nightmares and flashbacks and felt guilty for surviving when others did not.
- Daniel was an avid reader and writer. He wrote poems and stories about his life and war experiences and posted them on social media. He also read books on history, politics, and philosophy.
- He was a fan of Manchester United football club and often wore their jersey. He also liked music, especially rock bands like Oasis and Arctic Monkeys.
- Burke was a vegetarian and an animal lover. He adopted a stray dog named Luna in Ukraine and cared for her.
