Russian forces capture former British soldier fighting for Ukraine in Kursk: report
Russian forces have captured a former British Army soldier who was fighting with Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, according to reports on Monday. The prisoner of war, identified as 22-year-old James Scott Rhys Anderson, was shown in a video sitting on a bench with his hand restrained.
In the video, Anderson revealed that he was a signalman in the British Army’s 22 Signal Regiment from 2019 to 2023. He expressed regret for joining Ukraine in its fight against Russia, explaining that he had lost everything, including his job and his father being in prison.
After leaving the military, Anderson applied to join the International Legion for Defense of Ukraine, a unit created at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following Russia’s invasion of the country in 2022. The Legion mainly consists of foreign volunteers, and Anderson served as an instructor for Ukrainian troops.
Anderson claimed that he was deployed to the Kursk region against his will, with his commander taking his passport, phone, and other belongings. He expressed his desire to leave the conflict zone, stating, “I don’t want to be here.”
The capture of Anderson could be one of the first publicly known cases of a Western national being captured on Russian soil while fighting for Ukraine. The U.K. Embassy in Moscow confirmed that they were supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention.
Anderson’s father, Scott Anderson, expressed concern for his son’s safety, fearing that he may be tortured while in Russian custody. He revealed that his son served in the British military for four years before becoming a police custody officer and later joining the conflict in Ukraine.
The capture of Anderson comes amid reports that Russia is recruiting foreign mercenaries, including Yemeni men, to fight in its war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed these reports, stating that Moscow is trying to involve as many foreign fighters as possible in the conflict.
Overall, Anderson’s capture highlights the complex and international nature of the conflict in Ukraine, with foreign fighters from various countries being recruited to join the ongoing war. The situation remains fluid, with concerns about the safety and treatment of captured soldiers like Anderson.
