A 22-year-old British man, identified as James Scott Rhys Anderson, has reportedly been captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine. In a video shared on the Telegram platform, Anderson, dressed in military attire, states that he previously served as a private in the British Army from 2019 to 2023 and joined Ukraine’s International Legion after losing his job and being moved by reports about the war.
Russian state news agency Tass reported that Anderson, described as a “UK mercenary,” was detained in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukraine had gained ground during an August offensive. The Foreign Office has confirmed it is supporting Anderson’s family following the reports of his detention.
Ukraine’s surprise attack in the Kursk region had initially advanced up to 18 miles (29 km), capturing 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. However, Russia has since deployed approximately 50,000 troops to the area and is reclaiming lost ground amidst intense fighting.
