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An American Navy SEAL who went AWOL in 2019 was killed this week during Russia's assault on eastern Ukraine, officials said on Friday.

Daniel W. Swift, a Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class, was killed on Wednesday. He died after suffering injuries with a unit under attack by Russia,  an official said, TIME reported. 

The Navy Absentee Collection and Information Centers said that Swift had been in 'an active deserter status since March 11, 2019,' according to his service records that were obtained by the news outlet. 

Though the US State Department would not confirm Swift's identity they had issued a statement that an American was killed in action. 

 'We can confirm the recent death of a U.S. citizen fighting in Ukraine,' the statement said. 'We are in touch with his family and providing all possible consular assistance. Out of respect for the privacy of the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.'

Daniel W. Swift, a Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class, was killed on Wednesday. He died after suffering injuries with a unit under attack by Russia, the official said, TIME reported

The Navy told The Washington Times that they 'cannot speculate as to why the former Sailor was in Ukraine,' and did not provide any additional details about his US military record. 

Swift, who was from Oregon first enlisted in 2005.  He received a number of medals including, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, according to his releasable service records.

Though his records do not detail any of his deployments or SEAL teams that he may have served on, there were a few assignments listed including Naval Special Warfare 'Cold Weather Detachment' out of Kodiak, Alaska in 2007, and two different assignments in the 'West Coast-based Special Warfare Unit(s) between July 2007 to January 2014, Time reported. 

His most recent assignment began in August 2017 and was with a 'West Coast Special Warfare Unit.'

The book 'A Fall of A Man' by author Ryder Thompson that was released in August 2020 shares Swift's compelling story as a soldier, father and husband.

The book provides some insight into Swift's life, including finding his first love at age 15 - the woman he would eventually marry.  His introduction to military life - he started with the BUDS - Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training at 18. He was a father of four and had his first child at age 20. 

By age 30, Swift had deployed as a Navy SEAL five times to countries including, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen.   

'He returned home from serving his country to have everything he was torn apart,' according to the book's description that is available on Amazon.

Soldiers on the battlefield fighting during the war in Ukraine 

Swift is the sixth known American to have died fighting in Ukraine since Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to State Department statements and reports from individual families.

The US  government has discouraged Americans from going to fight for Ukraine, citing concerns that they may be captured by Russian forces and held hostage, NBC News reported.

There have been at least 6,000 people, who contacted the Ukrainian embassy in Washington when the war began looking for information on how to volunteer on behalf of Ukraine.

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