A British citizen, identified as James Scott Rhys Anderson, has allegedly been captured by Russian authorities for fighting with Ukraine. Video footage circulating online showed Anderson dressed in military clothing and claiming to be a former British Army soldier. A Russian court has ordered the British man to be held in custody, alleging he had participated in hostilities in the Kursk region. The court has stated that Anderson is “suspected of committing a set of particularly serious crimes that pose a particular public danger to the public.” Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Russian region on 6 August and still holds territory there.
Anderson’s father, Scott Anderson, had previously attempted to dissuade his son from travelling to Ukraine but was reportedly sent the video by his son’s commander and was left in complete shock and tears. The father expressed concerns about his son being tortured if he were to be taken into Russian custody as he claimed that his son had previously informed him that Russian authorities torture their prisoners.
A closed-door session held in court has confirmed Anderson’s citizenship and alleged crimes. The court’s decision can be appealed. In the video circulating online, Anderson explains that he served as a private in the British Army before joining the Ukraine’s International Legion, a military unit made up of foreigners. The International Legion was created by Ukraine’s government as a response to Russia’s invasion in 2022, aiming to recruit foreigners to fight. Recruits are offered three-year contracts and paid between £440 ($550 USD) and £3,800 ($4,800 USD) depending on the level of combat they engage in.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has pledged that the UK will do all it can to offer the captured citizen support. The court’s decision to hold Anderson in custody has been met with international concern. As yet, there has been no response from Russian authorities
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