A British man who joined the International Legion in Ukraine was found dead in a pond with his hands tied behind his back, the BBC reports.

International Defense Legion of UkrainePhoto: Serhii SUPINSKY / AFP / Profimedia

Jordan Chadwick, 31, from Burnley, Lancashire, previously served in the British Army from 2011 to 2015.

His mother, Brenda Chadwick, said the family was deeply saddened by the loss of their son, affectionately known as Joe.

The Ukrainian International Army facilitated his return to his homeland on August 7.

An official inquest to establish the circumstances of Chadwick’s death is scheduled for February.

A spokesperson for the US Foreign Office confirmed the news to Sky News this evening.

“We are providing assistance to the family of a British man who died in Ukraine, and we are in contact with the local authorities,” the spokesman said.