Sniper and model's cause of death revealed after she was killed by Russian forces

The death of former model Thalita do Valle was announced by her heartbroken family after she died fighting Russian invaders in the city of Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine

Brazilian Thalita do Valle, the former model and sniper, was killed in Kharkiv, Ukraine (

Image: Newsflash)

The former Brazilian model and sniper killed in Ukraine died of asphyxiation when the bunker she was sheltering in caught fire during a Russian bombardment, it has been confirmed

The death of former model Thalita do Valle was announced by her family on Tuesday this week.

The 39-year-old woman was killed when Russian forces shelled the battalion she was with in the city of Kharkiv on Thursday, June 30, according to earlier reports.

More recent reports, however, have been more ambiguous on whereabouts and have given the date of his death variously as Thursday, Friday, or as late as Saturday.

Her brother, Theo Rodrigo Vieira, told local media that the Ukrainian Foreign Legion contacted Thalita's sister on Sunday to break the grim news.

Thalita do Valle worked as a model (

Picture:

news flash)

According to the family, the bunker where Thalita was hiding caught fire when it was shelled by Russian forces, and she died of asphyxiation.

Her friend and compatriot Douglas Burigo, 40, is believed to have died trying to save her.

Theo told local media: "We have been informed of everything that has happened. There have been successive attacks and the battalion has been divided.

"Thalita went to the bunker and there was already a fire with the bunker closed with her inside.