Reports indicate that a man claiming to be a former British Army signalman has been captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine.
In a widely shared video posted on Sunday, the individual identifies himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, and states that he served in the British Army from 2019 to 2023 with the 22 Signal Regiment. Appearing in army fatigues and speaking with an English accent, Anderson details his military background, mentioning he was “just a private” and part of “One Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment, 252 Squadron.”
“And when I left… got fired from my job, I applied on the International Legion webpage,” he explained. “I had just lost everything. I just lost my job.” He reflected on his situation, noting, “My dad was away in prison. It was a stupid idea.”
In a follow-up video, Anderson is seen with his hands tied and tape over his eyes, recounting his journey to Ukraine from the UK: “I flew to Krakow, Poland, from London Luton. Bus from there to Medyka in Poland, on the Ukraine border.”
Russian state news agency Tass reported that a military source mentioned a “UK mercenary” had been captured in the Kursk region. The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is “supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention,” while the Ministry of Defence has chosen not to comment at this time.
Credit: Sky News
