A Brazilian bombshell who joined Ukrainian forces as an elite sniper in the fight against Russia was killed during a missile strike, relatives said.

Thalita do Valle, a 39-year-old ex-model who had been in Ukraine for only three weeks, died in a June 30 Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, where she was pinned down amid heavy explosions.

The volunteer soldier from Sao Paulo died alongside former Brazilian army fighter Douglas Burigo, 40, who was on his way to evacuate her from a bunker when he was killed.

The pair had travelled from Brazil to support Ukrainian forces.

Thalita had previous experience in warzones, and had fought against the Islamic State in Iraq.

At this time, she received special sniper training as she trained alongside the Peshmergas, the armed military forces of the independent Kurdistan region of Iraq.

She reportedly used these skills in Ukraine, where she was responsible for providing cover from advancing Russian froces.

Thalita had documented some of her experiences on a YouTube channel and she had been working with a writer ahead of a potential book about her diverse life.

She was also a law student who participated in animal rescues with NGOs, and had worked both as a model and an actress when she was younger.

Thalita’s family have paid tribute to their ‘hero’ who was known for ‘saving lives and participating in humanitarian missions.’