A former British Army soldier fighting for Ukraine has been captured by Russia’s forces in its Kursk region.
In a video widely circulated on Sunday, a man dressed in combat fatigues and speaking in an English accent identified himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, from the UK.
Russia’s TASS news agency later reported that the Russian security services had confirmed the capture of Mr Anderson.
In the footage, the captured man appeared to have his hands tied.
“I was in the British Army before. From 2019 to 2023. 22 Signal Regiment. Just a private, I was a signalman. 1 Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment, 252 Squadron,” he said to the camera.
He explained he now regretted signing up to fight for Ukraine and said that he had been sacked from the British Army.
“So when I got fired from my job I applied on the International Legion webpage. I had just lost everything, I had just lost my job. My dad was away in prison. I see it on the TV,” he said, shaking his head. “It was a stupid idea.”
Ukraine’s International Legion recruits foreign volunteers to fight against Russia.
There have been unconfirmed reports of foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine in the Kursk region of southern Russia, but Mr Anderson could be the first to be captured.