More than 150 SAS veterans fought in Afghanistan are on their way now Ukraine To fight Putin’s army – after army chiefs banned the service of Britain’s soldiers from the battlefield.
Whitehall officials are then scrambling to decide whether to police the government foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would support British citizens who decided to fight with the Ukrainian military against the Russian offensive on Sunday.
His remarks went against Foreign Office travel advice, while Defense Secretary ben wallace And a No. 10 spokesperson also appeared to contradict both Ms. Truss yesterday.
It comes as British troops yesterday were banned from going to Ukraine to join the fight against Russia.
Hundreds of soldiers have expressed interest in responding to requests from Kyiv for international volunteers. But the commanders have asked him not to sign up.
They cannot prevent retired personnel from traveling to Eastern Europe, but full-time and reserve troops have received a stern warning not to participate in the conflict.
A brigadier said he had heard that some soldiers were considering going to Avol to join the fight, The Times reports.
But a post on the military’s internal messaging service read: ‘There has been some recent media coverage regarding the welcome of foreigners into Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia.
To be clear, as members of the British military, you are not authorized to travel to Ukraine to support the ongoing struggle against Russia in any form, whether you are on leave or not.
‘Please stay professional and focus on your duty and your team.’
However, a military source said that 150 former paratroopers were on their way to Poland.
A Ukrainian soldier fires an NLAW anti-tank weapon during an exercise in the Donetsk region earlier this month
Ukrainian military forces walk into the small town of Svyarodonetsk in Lugansk Oblast on Sunday
A pro-Russian militia soldier stands next to a house that caught fire after shelling on Monday
Shaun Pinner, 48, (pictured) is one of several UK citizens who have traveled to Ukraine to fight
Shane, 34, a former sniper of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, said on Sunday Ms Truss’s remarks were a ‘green light’.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was creating his country’s own foreign army to fight Russia.
Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Malayar said yesterday that several thousand people have volunteered to join the force.
Military surplus stores are overrun with Ukrainian expats sourcing gear for recruits going to join the fight.
At Ukraine’s embassy in London yesterday, a 60-year-old English former soldier, who did not wish to be named, vowed to join the fight.
He told Sky News: ‘I used to be in TA so I’ve had a lot of first aid training so I thought it would be a good idea to come over and do something. I can go by flight tomorrow.
‘I am 60, which means I am within the age limit they will accept.’
Asked if he would put his life at stake, he said: ‘Okay kisi ko toh karna hoga’.
Shaun Pinner, 48, a former soldier with a Ukrainian wife who is already on the frontline, and Antony Zamperelli, a father-of-seven who served in the military but never fought, were among Britons. Huh. Said they would fight.
But Mr Wallace insisted yesterday: ‘Unless you are properly trained, unless you are a seasoned member of the armed forces, there are better ways for you to contribute to the security of Ukraine.’
Foreign Ministry adviser Oleksandr Biletsky says weapons were being distributed to anyone who wanted to fight for Ukraine.
He told British soldiers it was ‘really cool’ [of you]’ To support your country.
It comes amid concerns that those who decide to travel to Ukraine will be charged with terrorism crimes upon their return.
During the Syrian Civil War in 2014, the Crown Prosecution Service warned those going out to fight that they might commit crimes.
Its guidance states that Britons traveling abroad to take part in fighting may be ‘apprehended by the provisions of Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2000’.