Britain’s ‘foreign legion’ arrives to join fight
Volunteer soldiers moved to stop ‘war crimes’ admit families are not happy but still proud of them
A GROUP of young British fighters has arrived in Ukraine to help defend the country against Russia, declaring: “Hopefully, you know, we’ll win.”
Dressed head to toe in camouflage, the men said they were motivated to join the battle after hearing of the horrendous “war crimes” being committed by Vladimir Putin’s troops, although some admitted that their families back home were worried about their fate.
The young volunteers responded to a call to join the newly formed Ukrainian International Legion, whose ranks have already swelled to around 20,000 people from 52 countries.
More than 60 Britons are thought to have crossed the border from Poland into war-torn Ukraine, among them said to be former British Army and Special Forces veterans.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, announced the formation of the legion to help defend his country and appealed to foreign volunteers to come forward, promising them arms to fight against Russian troops.
He said the first 16,000 had already arrived to “defend the liberty and life of us and of everyone”.
Russia has warned that any “mercenaries” captured by Russian forces could face up to 15 years in prison.
Among the first tranche of volunteers from the UK, were some who said they had previously served in Afghanistan.
Most were wearing military fatigues and plate carriers. In a video shot on a coach heading into Ukraine by Radio Free Europe/radio Liberty, posted on social media, one volunteer said: “My name’s Jax, we’re from England and basically we’re here to help stop the invasion of Ukraine. “Hopefully, you know, we’ll win. “We’re all ex-military so I think we’re all very well trained. The motivation is obviously the war crimes that are being committed shouldn’t be committed, you know.
“It’s bombing civilian targets, executing civilians, raping female, it shouldn’t happen and it needs to be stopped.”
A travelling companion shouted: “Long live Ukraine.”
In a separate video, Jax said he was from the Manchester area, adding: “Obviously, the president asked if we can help and I started to think about it and then I started to read the war crimes and that’s when it gets sickening.”
Asked how his family felt about his decision to join the call to arms, he said: “They’re not happy to say the least. But they’re proud, I’ll say that they are proud. But they are not happy.”
Another volunteer, Ben Grant, said they would wait to see where they were most needed, suggesting that it was crucial those with military experience joined up.
Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, said she “absolutely” supported British people travelling to Ukraine.
However, Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, has warned that Britons should not put themselves in harm’s way, saying there were “better ways to contribute to the security of Ukraine”.