Brit hero, 40, killed in Ukraine by Russian mines after spending years working to save lives by clearing Putin's bombs
A BRITISH hurt locker hero has been killed in an explosion on Ukraine's frontline.
Brave Chris Garrett, 40, was catastrophically wounded yesterday trying to clear minefields in Izyum, near Kharkiv.
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Chris Garrett was tragically killed on the frontline in Ukraine
Credit: Ian Whittaker - News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Chris jetted off to Ukraine right after Russia's invasion
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The bomb disposal expert - once dubbed public enemy number one by Russia,
From the moment Russia invaded in February 2022 he dedicated himself to blowing up thousands of artillery shells and live ammunition dumped by Vladimir Putin's retreating troops.
His pal and former prisoner of war Shaun Piner said: "It has now been confirmed that two of the three critically injured individuals have sadly passed away.
"I can confirm that Chris was among those who died. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected.
READ MORE ON UKRAINE
"We deeply appreciate all the support during this difficult time.
"We will share further updates as soon as we coordinate with the investigation teams over the next 48hrs.
"We can't and will not comment during an ongoing investigation. Please be patient."
Courageous Chris, known to pals as Swampy because of his past life as a tree surgeon, jetted to Ukraine four days after Russia's botched invasion began on February 24.
Most read in The Sun
He was among the first into the massacred towns of Bucha and Irpin and worked round the clock in the wake of the Battle for Hostomel Airport at the start of the war.
The former tree surgeon, from the Isle of Man, was the chairman and founder of Prevail.
In an interview with The Sun in Mykolaiv he said: "I'm much more comfortable being on the front or close to it where I can switch off and just get on with the task.
"My job will be about preserving life, not taking it.
"Since the war started we've gone in after the fighting and blown up between 6-10 tonnes of artillery shells at a time every single day.
"This time we're pushing into a grey zone where there are more risks and we may end up helping to clear routes in or areas they've literally just moved into.
"In places like Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Kyiv, the volume of unexploded munitions was off the scale.
"I've never seen anything like it in my life."
There are now 138 demining teams - well over 500 men - operating across Ukraine.
A number of international companies and volunteers, including Brit ChrisGarrett and The Halo Trust, are also deployed.
Their work is vital to Ukraine and its war effort.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, a total of 76 people have been killed by mines in this region and a further 216 injured.
Eight sappers have also been killed and 40 more wounded trying to clear them.
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Riccardo di Burzotta Pino's brother Diego Burzotta, a notorious hitman, was already serving a life sentence for the double murder of Giovanni Ingoglia and Salvatore Guccione, killed between 1982 and 1987. He was also sentenced to nine years for Mafia association and for attacking vice commissioner Rino Germanà, who escaped death after a daring chase by the clan's hitmen in 1992. Another cousin, Luca Burzotta, was convicted of Mafia association and Pietro, was acquitted of a similar charge due to contradictory testimony from witnesses. Now a father of four himself, Riccardo has no contact with his Sicilian clan but has revealed the truth about his family's dark past to his own children. 'They were shocked when I told them about my childhood," he says. 'We go back to Sicily for holidays but I never speak to my cousins. "I nod if I see them in the street but that's as far as it goes. 15 Riccardo returns to Sicily but avoids many of his relatives Credit: supplied 15 Any contact with Riccardo's relatives could mean a prison sentence Credit: Supplied 'We've all been warned to stay away from them - any contact could mean an automatic prison sentence. "Many of my cousins have been involved in gambling rackets and extortion, meaning any shops or business that didn't pay them protection money would go up in flames. 'It's too risky to associate with them. It's too risky to associate with my family, Ricardo di Burzotta "I hear about more arrests every day - members of my family and old friends I went to school with, it is beyond me how far they were willing to go. 'I plan to keep my own kids well away from it but I don't hide anything from them. 'They understand their heritage and it's important to teach them the value of who they are but I want them to keep on a straight path and understand that not all Sicilians are mafioso.' 15 As a teenager Riccardo was on the verge of a life of crime Credit: supplied 15 His life in Southend on Sea is free from the stigma of his surname Credit: supplied Food for thought Riccardo's move to the UK, at the age of 12, allowed him to forge his own path away from crime. Although he hated the British weather and could not stand the food, Riccardo kept his head down, stayed out of trouble and did well at school. He helped out in his parents' Italian restaurant in Southend, learnt to speak fluent English and Spanish, excelled at Maths and History, and landed a job in a City stockbroking firm. He said: 'That was like winning the lottery, a real eye opener. 'I was earning great money, travelling the world and loving the fast lifestyle.' Now 48, Riccardo remains on a mission to distance himself from the stigma of his surname. He has retired from finance and is focusing on encouraging entrepreneurial young Sicilians to choose a career in food. 15 Now Riccardo wants to focus on helping entrepreneurs Credit: Supplied 15 A father of four, he wants the next generation to follow a new path Credit: Supplied He says: 'My family's name is a burden, but it's also a responsibility. I want to show that we can choose a different path. 'We can't let the mistakes of our fathers define our children's 'Change starts at the table. If we can break bread together, we can break the cycle.' Although police are working to dismantle Mafia control in Sicily, investigators warn that intimidation and corruption persist. And the statistics are daunting. Mafia activity has cost Sicily billions in lost economic potential. We can't let the mistakes of our fathers define our children's future Ricardo di Burzotta Anti-Mafia organisations estimate that extortion and racketeering have siphoned off up to two per cent of Sicily's GDP each year. In just one 2018 crackdown, police arrested 58 people from 16 Mafia families, seizing €11 million in assets. The Mafia's stranglehold has deterred investors, stifled innovation, and driven away the island's brightest young minds. Youth unemployment in Sicily stands at a staggering 37 per cent, nearly double the Italian national average. Every year, tens of thousands of young Sicilians leave in search of opportunity, draining the island of talent and hope. A new generation Riccardo believes the antidote to this malaise is teaching entrepreneurial young Sicilians to cook, run businesses, and celebrate their heritage. He hopes to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs through his campaign, Mobster Munch, which aims to munch away Sicily's mobster past and dish out a future built on celebrating food and family. He was inspired to help Sicily's youth by his own grandmother who, amid the violence and secrecy, preserved traditional culinary skills. Although she was a matriarch to mobsters, Leone Malda Burzotta also taught Riccardo how to cook her original Sicilian recipes. 'Sicily's youth deserve to inherit the recipes, the laughter, and the hope my grandmother gave me," added Riccardo. 'Food brings people together. Family gives us strength. 'We can't let the mistakes of our fathers define our children's future.' As part of his campaign he will host pop-up feasts, cooking classes, and food festivals across Sicily and the UK. The message is simple but powerful - every bite is a step away from the Mafia's grip, and a step towards a future built on honest work where crime once ruled. 15 Riccardo's parents feared he would be drawn into a life of crime Credit: Collect
