British Soldier Caught Fighting For Ukraine In Russia

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Russian forces have apprehended a British national who was fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in the partially occupied Kursk region, according to state news agency Tass’s Monday report, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.

Tass and other media outlets identified the captured soldier as James Scott Rhys Anderson. According to Tass, Anderson revealed his prior service as a signalman in the British army for four years before joining Ukraine’s International Legion, which was established shortly after Russia’s invasion began nearly three years ago.

Man who says he was a Private in the British Army appears to have been detained in Russia. James Scott Rhys Anderson (22) says he joined Ukraine’s Foreign Legion last year having been sacked from his job in the Signals Regiment. pic.twitter.com/8IKs2q6mQN

— Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) November 25, 2024

According to reports, Anderson served as an instructor for Ukrainian forces and claims he was unwillingly deployed to the Kursk region. Tass released footage showing him stating in English that he doesn’t want to be “here.”

While the report awaits independent verification, this could represent one of the first documented instances of a Western fighter being captured on Russian territory while supporting Ukraine.

British diplomatic representatives in Moscow confirmed they are providing support to the family of a detained British citizen but offered no additional information.

The Russian Defense Ministry has yet to comment on the situation.

The captured soldier’s father, Scott Anderson, informed Britain’s Daily Mail that his son’s Ukrainian commander had confirmed the capture.

“I’m hoping he’ll be used as a bargaining chip, but my son told me they torture their prisoners and I’m so frightened he’ll be tortured,” he told the newspaper.

The UK Foreign Office acknowledged they are “supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention.”

The International Legion for Defense of Ukraine, established at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request following Russia’s February 2022 invasion, is a component of Ukraine’s Ground Forces predominantly staffed by international volunteers. Ukraine also incorporates foreign fighters into various military units.

Initially, Ukrainian officials reported over 20,000 volunteers from 52 nations joined their defense efforts against Russia. Current foreign fighter numbers remain classified.

In recent developments, Ukrainian officials reported numerous Russian drone attacks overnight.

🇬🇧Russian soldiers have captured a British mercenary

A British militant, James Scott Rhys Anderson, has been captured by Russian soldiers in the Kursk region.

The captured mercenary was formerly a senior soldier in the British Army.https://t.co/lYGfQ1lLJh pic.twitter.com/FKVXIMHPoF

— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) November 24, 2024

Multiple Iranian-made Shahed drones targeted Zaporizhzhia, causing residential damage and injuring a teenager, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov. In Kyiv, intercepted drone debris landed in Darnytskyi district without casualties.

The Mykolaiv region experienced drone strikes on energy infrastructure, causing temporary power disruptions, though service has largely been restored.

In Kharkiv, a morning attack using a modified S-400 missile struck the city center, injuring at least 19 people and damaging residential areas, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.