British ‘Lads’ Army’ volunteers head to the Ukrainian embassy to sign up to fight Putin

British ‘Lads Army’ volunteers eager to fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces are heading to the Ukrainian embassy in London to sign up – despite warnings from ministers and lawyers they could be breaking the law if they go.  

Groups of men were seen speaking with Ukranian officials outside the embassy in west London yesterday after answering Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky call to arms for foreign fighters to join his country’s defence against Russia 

Among them was gym owner Leon Dawson, 37, who told reporters he was prepared to lose his life fighting to defend Ukraine as a volunteer in the country’s newly announced Foreign Legion.

Standing outside the Ukrainian embassy in west London with other would-be-fighters, including his friend Tom Konarzewski, who is originally from Poland and who runs a dog care business, he told reporters from Sky News:  ‘We’re young, strong, fit men and we can help, so why not?’

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‘We don’t want to die. We’re obviously scared. But if we’re scared, we can imagine how the innocent women and children feel. I can’t sit here and just let that happen.’

Asked if his family were aware, Mr Dawson, who has no military experience, said: ‘My family are upset. Obviously it is a hard time.’  

Mr Dawson and Mr Konarzewski were among a number of people seen outside the Ukrainian embassy yesterday responding to calls by President  Zelensky for foreign fighters to join his country’s defence against Russia. 

Dozens of former Army and Special Forces soldiers from Britain are also said to be heading out there to fight for Ukraine. Reportedly among them are a crack team of retired SAS fighters who are on their way to join the war on the side of the Ukrainians. Ukrainian expats living in Britain are also heading back to their home country to fight against the Putin’s invaders.

Meanwhile, military supply stores in the UK are said to be kitting out volunteers –  with some even offering 50 per cent discounts for those heading out to Ukraine.

Yesterday, as the fighting raged on in cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and a No 10 spokesman both appeared to contradict Liz Truss, who gave her backing to Britons who wanted to join the resistance movement.

The Foreign Secretary yesterday said she ‘won’t oppose’ British nationals who travel to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion.

But Mr Wallace urged Britons not to join the fighting, saying that the ‘very dangerous’ situation could lead to them being killed.

The British Army is expected to warn UK soldiers ‘on or off leave’ not to try and take up arms against Russia over fears that the sight of British insignias could spark a major escalation in the conflict.

Meanwhile lawyers today warned that Britons leaving to fight in Ukraine could face legal action on their return under UK terror laws. 

Leon Dawson, 37, is seen telling journalists he is prepared to lose his life fighting to defend Ukraine as a volunteer in the country’s newly announced foreign legion

Standing outside the Ukrainian embassy in west London with other would-be-fighters, including his friend Tom Konarzewski (pictured left), he tells reporters from Sky News: 'We're young, strong, fit men and we can help, so why not?

Standing outside the Ukrainian embassy in west London with other would-be-fighters, including his friend Tom Konarzewski (pictured left), he tells reporters from Sky News: ‘We’re young, strong, fit men and we can help, so why not?

Brian Grove, a 60-year-old former Territorial Army (TA) member from Kent, told reporters he had 'decided to do something' to help under siege Ukrainians

Brian Grove, a 60-year-old former Territorial Army (TA) member from Kent, told reporters he had ‘decided to do something’ to help under siege Ukrainians

Mr Dawson and Mr Konarzewski were mong a number of people seen outside the Ukrainian embassy yesterday responding to calls by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky for foreign fighters to join their defence against Russia. Pictured: Governor Dmitry Zhivitsky posts photos of damage done by Russia to Okhtyrka

Mr Dawson and Mr Konarzewski were mong a number of people seen outside the Ukrainian embassy yesterday responding to calls by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky for foreign fighters to join their defence against Russia. Pictured: Governor Dmitry Zhivitsky posts photos of damage done by Russia to Okhtyrka

Among those attending the Ukrainian embassy yesterday was Brian Grove, a 60-year-old former Territorial Army (TA) member from Kent. He told Sky News reporters he had ‘decided to do something’ to help under siege Ukrainians. 

 ‘I used to be in the TA, I’ve also got a lot of first aid training so I’ve decided to come and do something,’ he said.

Asked if he’s prepared to fight, Mr Grove replies: ‘Yes, I can get on a flight tomorrow.’ 

More than 150 British ex paratroopers who fought in Afghanistan are now on their way to Ukraine to battle Putin’s forces – after Army chiefs banned serving UK soldiers from the warzone. 

Hundreds of troops have expressed interest in answering a request from Kyiv for international volunteers, it is believed, but commanders have told them not to sign up.

They cannot stop retired personnel from travelling to eastern Europe, but full-time and reserve troops have received a stern warning not to take part in the conflict.

One brigadier said he heard talk that some soldiers were considering going Awol to join the fight, The Times reports.

But a post on the Army’s internal messaging service read: ‘There has been some recent media coverage relating to foreigners being welcomed into Ukraine to help fight against Russia.

‘To be clear, as members of the British Army, you are not authorised to travel to Ukraine to support the ongoing conflict against Russia in any form, whether you are on leave or not.

‘Please remain professional and focused on your duty and your team.’

Despite this, a military source has said that 150 of former paratroopers were on their way to Poland.

Shane, 34, a former sniper with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, said Ms Truss’ comments on Sunday were ‘the green light’

Ukraine’s president Volodomyr Zelensky said he was forming his country’s own foreign legion to fight Russia.

Several thousand people have volunteered to join the force, deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said yesterday.

Among them are reportedly a group of SAS veterans eager to defend Ukraine.  

According to The Mirror, the retired UK special forces soldiers have volunteered for missions deep inside Ukraine to back up the country’s defence. 

The veterans, aged between 40 and 60, have had meetings to discuss signing up for the dangerous mission, backing up Ukrainians in combat.

Key to their operation is among them there are highly-trained snipers and experts in the use of anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.

It comes as lawyers warned that Britons leaving to fight in Ukraine could face legal action on their return under UK terror laws. 

However they said prosecutions would likely be a ‘non-starter’ – pointing to those who avoided legal action for fighting against for Kurdish militias against ISIS.  

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured) said he didn't 'want to see British people killed any more than I want to see Ukrainians' and asked people who were not properly trained or an 'experienced member of an armed forced' not to join the war in Ukraine Foreign Secretary Liz Truss (pictured) said the UK will back Britons going to fight in Ukraine

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured left) said he didn’t ‘want to see British people killed any more than I want to see Ukrainians’ and asked people who were not properly trained or an ‘experienced member of an armed forced’ not to join the war in Ukraine. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss (pictured right) said the UK will back Britons going to fight in Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces a 'crucial' 24 hours as Russia throws even more ground forces at Kyiv

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces a ‘crucial’ 24 hours as Russia throws even more ground forces at Kyiv

More than 150 former British paratroopers who fought in Afghanistan are now on their way to Ukraine to battle Putin’s forces 

More than 150 British ex paratroopers who fought in Afghanistan are now on their way to Ukraine to battle Putin’s forces – after Army chiefs banned serving UK soldiers from the warzone.

Whitehall officials are scrambling to determine the Government’s policy after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would support British nationals who chose to fight alongside Ukrainian forces against the Russian invasion on Sunday.

Her comments went against Foreign Office travel advice, while Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and a No 10 spokesman also both appeared to contradict Ms Truss yesterday.

Hundreds of troops have expressed interest in answering a request from Kyiv for international volunteers, it is believed, but commanders have told them not to sign up.

They cannot stop retired personnel from travelling to eastern Europe, but full-time and reserve troops have received a stern warning not to take part in the conflict.

One brigadier said he heard talk that some soldiers were considering going Awol to join the fight, The Times reports.

But a post on the Army’s internal messaging service read: ‘There has been some recent media coverage relating to foreigners being welcomed into Ukraine to help fight against Russia.

‘To be clear, as members of the British Army, you are not authorised to travel to Ukraine to support the ongoing conflict against Russia in any form, whether you are on leave or not.

‘Please remain professional and focused on your duty and your team.’

Despite this, a military source has said that 150 of former paratroopers were on their way to Poland.

Shane, 34, a former sniper with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, said Ms Truss’ comments on Sunday were ‘the green light’

Ukraine’s president Volodomyr Zelensky said he was forming his country’s own foreign legion to fight Russia.

Several thousand people have volunteered to join the force, deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said yesterday.

Under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000, terrorism is described as the use or threat of violence, to influence a government or the public, ‘for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause’. 

Jonathan Hall QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, said fighting in Ukraine would be captured by the definition.

He told The Independent: ‘Russia’s aggression against the international legal order, and the importance of supporting Ukraine, makes any support for foreign fighters who want to travel to Ukraine at first glance attractive. 

‘Given the government’s apparent support, prosecution of foreign fighters against Russia under terrorism legislation appears to be a non-starter even if the broad statutory definition of terrorism is satisfied in these cases. 

‘But there is always the possibility of less desirable cases at the edges – individuals who travel to Ukraine under false pretence either to support Russia or fight with an ideological group such as the [neo-Nazi] Azov battalion.’

British authorities have previously tried to prosecute British fighters who took up arms against ISIS in Syria.

Ex-paratrooper Daniel Burke originally fought against ISIS with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) between late 2017 and June 2018.

No action was taken at the time. But he was later prosecuted for ‘preparing acts of terrorism’ after allegedly attempting to return to support the YPG against an invasion by Turkish-led forces in 2019.

However the charges were later dropped against Burke and two other men following a review by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

Meanwhile, one British military store is reportedly giving discounts to Britons wishing to join Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Damon Warren, a 52-year-old ex-soldier who owns Folkestone’s G4 Echelon Military Supplies in Kent, is said to be giving 50 per cent discount to both Ukrainians and any British veterans seeking to help them. 

However Mr Warren said he had been turning away Britons who were not veterans because those with neither military experience nor the ability to speak Ukrainian would be ‘more of a liability than a help’.

One person visiting his store yesterday was Andrew Lester, a 25-year-old electrician from Kent who served in the Parachute Regiment till last July.

He told the Telegraph: ‘The Ukrainians are really doing quite well, I think.

‘They’re holding out. If they need a few more blokes to push them back, then that’s what we’re here for.’ 

Yesterday nine Ukrainians left England heading off to war in three equipment-laden SUVs. 

They left from Kensington’s Ukrainian Social Club, where Britons had been appearing throughout the day to volunteer to fight against Putin.

The cars were laden with body armour, rucksacks and piles of Boots bags packed with bandages, nappies, medicine and toothbrushes.

Yesterday nine Ukrainians left England heading off to war in three equipment-laden SUVs

Yesterday nine Ukrainians left England heading off to war in three equipment-laden SUVs

They left from Kensington's Ukrainian Social Club, where Britons had been appearing throughout the day to volunteer to fight against Putin

They left from Kensington’s Ukrainian Social Club, where Britons had been appearing throughout the day to volunteer to fight against Putin

The cars were laden with body armour, rucksacks and piles of Boots bags packed with bandages, nappies, medicine and toothbrushes

The cars were laden with body armour, rucksacks and piles of Boots bags packed with bandages, nappies, medicine and toothbrushes

Lawyer warns Britons could face prosecution under terror laws for joining Ukraine’s fight against Russia – but says legal action is likely a ‘non-starter’

Lawyers have warnet Britons leaving to fight in Ukraine that they could face legal action on their return under terror laws. 

However they say prosecutions would likely be a ‘non-starter’ – pointing to those who avoided legal action for fighting against for Kurdish militias against ISIS. 

Under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000, terrorism is described as the use or threat of violence, to influence a government or the public, ‘for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause’. 

Jonathan Hall QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, said fighting in Ukraine would be captured by the definition.

He told The Independent: ‘Russia’s aggression against the international legal order, and the importance of supporting Ukraine, makes any support for foreign fighters who want to travel to Ukraine at first glance attractive. 

‘Given the government’s apparent support, prosecution of foreign fighters against Russia under terrorism legislation appears to be a non-starter even if the broad statutory definition of terrorism is satisfied in these cases.

‘But there is always the possibility of less desirable cases at the edges – individuals who travel to Ukraine under false pretence either to support Russia or fight with an ideological group such as the [neo-Nazi] Azov battalion.’

British authorities have previously tried to prosecute British fighters who took up arms against ISIS in Syria.

Ex-paratrooper Daniel Burke originally fought against ISIS with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) between late 2017 and June 2018.

No action was taken at the time. But he was later prosecuted for ‘preparing acts of terrorism’ after allegedly attempting to return to support the YPG against an invasion by Turkish-led forces in 2019.

However the charges were later dropped against Burke and two other men following a review by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

He was one of a string of fighters to face unsuccessful prosecutions for fighting against ISIS. 

Almost all terror charges were dropped before trial or ended in acquittals. 

One – called Vladimir – 44, said: ‘I am going to fight for Ukraine, to protect Ukraine, to defend Ukraine.’

Another in their party, a Russian called Denis, 33, who worked with the fighters, was helping to ferry equipment to Ukraine.

He said: ‘They have families here, they know what they have to do. They are just going to their home. If they support it they will fight.

‘They just want to go to their home and help their families. They just want to go to their home.’

He said he would stop at the border and not fight, but would help them take equipment across.

Cars carried provisions alongside helmets, sleeping mats, armoured vests and binoculars.

Angela, 47, said: ‘I don’t know if I will fight but I will try to help the innocents.

‘It’s very important. When you see people who die you think we can help here with the money from England, but we don’t have the people.’

In a touching scene, they were helped by 28 year old engineer Harry Wright from Dagenham, east London, before he volunteered himself.

Father-of-two Harry, who has three-and-four-year old girls, said: ‘I want to stop it from spreading. Stop letting Putin get that power.’

Jimmy Butt, a forklift driver from Wolverhampton, has relatives who are ‘cut off’ in Ukraine.

He said: ‘My friends are not really taking me seriously with it. Think I’m blowing off steam.

‘I want to try and do something worthwhile, something beyond myself while I’m still able to do it.

‘This is bigger than anything. I’m willing to sacrifice for something I see as greater.’

As their passports were checked and the Ukrainians tried to force more equipment into the boots of their cars, onlookers said it felt like a First World War spirit as they watched them go off to war.

They are getting a ferry and then driving across Europe to the Polish border.

It comes as MailOnline reported on Britons already in Ukraine joining the fight against Russia. 

Shaun Pinner, 48, an ex-soldier with a Ukrainian wife who is already on the front lines, and Antony Zamparelli, a father-of-seven who served in the Army but has never been in a conflict, are among those from the UK to have said they will fight.

Others include Aiden Aslin, 28, an ex-carer who previously fought ISIS in Syria, as well as a team of 60 British former Army and Special Forces soldiers that have been gathered by Mamuka Mamulashvili, 43, commander of the Georgian National Legion. 

Friends and families of the Brits going to war told MailOnline of their worries for them being on the frontlines in Ukraine.

Mr Pinner’s sister Cassandra, who is a nurse in Bedfordshire, said: ‘He’s fighting as we speak, although I probably shouldn’t disclose where’.

‘He’s going in now, [I] sent a final message just in case.’

She said the rest of her brother’s team would be joining him on Thursday.  

Shaun Pinner, 48, (pictured) is one of many UK nationals who have travelled to Ukraine to fight

Shaun Pinner, 48, (pictured) is one of many UK nationals who have travelled to Ukraine to fight

Father-of-seven Antony Zamparelli said he was willing to die for Ukraine and urged other Brits to fight against the Russian invaders

Father-of-seven Antony Zamparelli said he was willing to die for Ukraine and urged other Brits to fight against the Russian invaders

Aiden Aslin, 28, (pictured) is a former carer who previously fought against Isis in Syria. Now he is fighting against a Russian invasion of Ukraine

Aiden Aslin, 28, (pictured) is a former carer who previously fought against Isis in Syria. Now he is fighting against a Russian invasion of Ukraine

Sixty British volunteers are heading to Ukraine to fight against Vladimir Putin's Russian forces, led by Mamuka Mamulashvili, Georgian National Legion (pictured training in Kyiv in January) commander

Sixty British volunteers are heading to Ukraine to fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces, led by Mamuka Mamulashvili, Georgian National Legion (pictured training in Kyiv in January) commander

Mr Pinner, who previously served in the Royal Anglian Regiment, said he fought with the Ukrainian army as a ‘contract soldier

Mr Pinner, who previously served in the Royal Anglian Regiment, said he fought with the Ukrainian army as a ‘contract soldier

This week they are frantically searching for chest seals to treat battle wounds before they head to Ukraine, she added. 

A friend of Mr Aslin, Kattia Beckinsale-Yates, told MailOnline: ‘I messaged the other day but haven’t heard anything back.’ 

She added she was ‘hoping and praying he’s safe’.

A YouGov poll of UK adults on Monday found 18 per cent believes the Government should encourage people who want to fight the Russians to go to Ukraine.

Father-of-seven Antony Zamparelli told GB News he was willing to die for the Ukrainian cause and urged other Brits to ‘go to Ukraine if you’re willing to fight for freedom’.

Meanwhile, 60-year-old former Territorial Army soldier Brian Grove said outside the Ukrainian embassy in London that ‘somebody has to’ put their life on the line.

He added: ‘I decided to come and do something. I can get on a flight tomorrow.’ 

MailOnline revealed on Saturday that foreigners are crossing into Ukraine to take up arms after a call from president Volodymyr Zelensky.  

Mr Aslin is a former carer who left his job in April 2015 and travelled to Syria to fight Isis in Syria.

He spent ten months there before coming home to the UK, where he was arrested.  

Mr Pinner's sister Cassandra (pictured), who is a nurse, told MailOnline: 'He's fighting as we speak, although I probably shouldn't disclose where'

Mr Pinner’s sister Cassandra (pictured), who is a nurse, told MailOnline: ‘He’s fighting as we speak, although I probably shouldn’t disclose where’

A friend of Mr Aslin, Kattia Beckinsale-Yates (pictured), told MailOnline: 'I messaged the other day but haven't heard anything back.' She added she was 'hoping and praying he's safe'

A friend of Mr Aslin, Kattia Beckinsale-Yates (pictured), told MailOnline: ‘I messaged the other day but haven’t heard anything back.’ She added she was ‘hoping and praying he’s safe’

A YouGov poll of UK adults on Monday found 18 per cent believes the Government should encourage people who want to fight the Russians to go to Ukraine (Image: YouGov)

A YouGov poll of UK adults on Monday found 18 per cent believes the Government should encourage people who want to fight the Russians to go to Ukraine (Image: YouGov)

He was held for 30 hours after officers boarded his plane at Heathrow, where members of his family were eagerly awaiting his arrival. 

He was immediately taken to Nottinghamshire Police headquarters for questioning over a suspected terrorism offence. 

He remained on bail for months until all charges were dropped in October 2016. 

Now, in Ukraine, he is not the only Britain ready to fight off a Russian invasion.

The former carer has been joined by ex-soldier Mr Pinner, from Bedfordshire.

He is married to a Ukrainian woman and has been in Donbas for the past four years.

Mr Pinner previously served in the Royal Anglian Regiment and said he fought with the Ukrainian army as a ‘contract soldier’.

Pictured: Aiden Aslin, 28, is a former carer from Britain Pictured: Shaun Pinner, 48, a former British soldier

Both Mr Aslin (left) and Mr Pinner (right) are prepared to fight off a Russian invasion in Ukraine as they wait on the frontline

Ex-Marine turned pub landlord to drive over 1,000 miles from English seaside town to Ukrainian border to deliver supplies to refugees 

A pub landlord is driving over 1,000 miles from an English seaside town to the Ukrainian border with a van-load of supplies for refugees – and he is prepared to fight.

Tom Littledyke, an ex-royal marine reservist, was compelled to help as Russia invaded the country and hundreds of thousands of refugees fled.

Tom Littledyke, an ex-royal marine reservist, was compelled to help as Russia invaded the country and hundreds of thousands of refugees fled

Tom Littledyke, an ex-royal marine reservist, was compelled to help as Russia invaded the country and hundreds of thousands of refugees fled

The 31-year-old from Lyme Regis, Dorset, has filled his 14ft minivan with donated sleeping bags, children’s toys, coats, and tinned food left outside his pub.

He is undertaking the 1,300 mile journey to the Polish border town of Korczowa and is currently in Germany.

On the way he has picked up people travelling to fight for Ukrainian forces in the struggle against the Russians.

He said he would do so too ‘without a second of hesitation’ to defend refugees from enemy aggression.

He said: “Absolutely (I would fight) if necessary, if called upon, in the aid of people who have not asked for this. Entirely so – without a second of hesitation.

“I’m incredibly full of emotion and clear drive. I am blown back by the amount of support we have received already. I am inspired by how inspired people have been to make this happen.

“That we can get this much together in a couple of hours inspires me – and we are already talking about doing another one.”

His partner, Georgia, added: “I know Tom will do as much as he can and he doesn’t have anything stopping him.

“He doesn’t have the fear that most of us have – he is either brave or stupid and I haven’t decided which yet.”

The couple have raised £6,000 on a Justgiving page to buy further supplies for a second trip later this year.

 

Speaking from a trench ten miles outside Mariupol, he said: ‘I am here defending my family and adopted city. Russia started this war – it’s funded by Russia and driven by Russia. But we will fight them, make no mistake about that.’

Mr Pinner said fighting in the trenches was ‘like Hell’, with snipers ‘less than 600m away’.

Mr Pinner said there has been tension in Ukraine’ for years’.

‘It’s only new to Europe, who have finally woken up to what’s happening here,’ he told Al Jazeera.

Mr Pinner is one of the oldest in his unit, which has three Brits and one Croatian as well as Ukrainians.

The team is known as the Marines First Battalion. ‘I’ve always got something to prove,’ Mr Pinner added. 

Another man who turned up at the Ukrainian embassy to try to enlist with the country’s military told Sky News: ‘They look like they need help. We are young, strong fit men, we can help so why not?’ 

A third he said he was going to ‘try to make a difference’. Asked if he was prepared to lose his life, he said ‘I think so’.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline commander Mamulashvili said: ‘I have a very big group of Britons, around sixty travelling to Ukraine to join up with my Georgian National League unit.

‘They are travelling by car from the UK and will cross over at the Polish border. I am expecting them here with equipment and supplies in the next few days. 

‘They are mostly guys who have fought with me in Ukraine before but there are also new recruits as well. 

‘We will provide them with training and weapons and they are coming from London and all over Britain.

‘Their background is former British Army and Special Forces and they are good fighters, they can be trusted to take on the Russian aggressors and most importantly win.

‘What I want to stress is that none of them are getting paid, they are not mercenaries, they are all volunteers.’

Commander Mamulashvili is a veteran of the 2008 war against Russia in Georgia and a mixed martial arts expert and founded the unit in 2014 to provide foreign fighters in Ukraine’s war against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region.

He added: ‘The guys from the UK are just bringing basic equipment with their uniforms and rations, they will get weapons when they arrive. 

‘Putin is very much mistaken if he thinks he will take Ukraine, he will face a fight to the death as the Ukrainian army has shown how brave and strong it is.

‘They have experience and now they have good equipment from the rest of Europe and the world and now we have the backing of some of the best foreign volunteer soldiers in the world.

‘We know some of us might die but unless we fight against Russia, Putin will just keep going and trying to take countries. 

‘When he went into Georgia in 2008 the then President of my country said Ukraine would be next and he was right.’

Father-of-two Mamulashvili added that he ‘expected’ the number of volunteers from Britain and elsewhere to top 500 within the next few days after having received dozens of requests asking for details on how to join up.

Plumes of smoke rise from a building, which was caused by a cruise missile according to local media, in Kyiv, Ukraine

Plumes of smoke rise from a building, which was caused by a cruise missile according to local media, in Kyiv, Ukraine

Smoke billows over the town of Vasylkiv, which is just outside Kyiv on February 27

Smoke billows over the town of Vasylkiv, which is just outside Kyiv on February 27

Public Chernihiv reports that a rocket hit a residential building in the centre of Chernihiv, northwest of Kyiv. A fire broke out with two lower floors ablaze. The number of injured is currently unknown Public Chernihiv reports that a rocket hit a residential building in the centre of Chernihiv, northwest of Kyiv. A fire broke out with two lower floors ablaze. The number of injured is currently unknown

Public Chernihiv reports that a rocket hit a residential building in the centre of Chernihiv, north of Kyiv. A fire broke out with two lower floors ablaze. The number of injured is currently unknown

A Russian tank burning in the Ukrainian city of Sumy just days after newly revealed dashcam footage showed a huge column of tanks moving in

A Russian tank burning in the Ukrainian city of Sumy just days after newly revealed dashcam footage showed a huge column of tanks moving in

He added: ‘My advice for anyone from the UK who wants to come and fight is to get in touch with the Ukrainian embassy in London and they will advise how to get to our base.

‘If that is not possible volunteers should make their way to Poland and cross the border into Ukraine and head for the city of Lviv where we have a mobilisation base and make themselves known to the local authorities but for obvious reasons I cannot give you the exact address.’

Earlier this year it emerged that at least two Brits were fighting in Ukraine, Aiden Aslin, 28, from Newark, Nottinghamshire and Sean Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire.

Harry Jackson, 27, who founded UK Aid for Ukraine, and launched an appeal on Facebook for volunteers and equipment said he had been ‘flooded with offers of help’.

Harry said: ‘I’m putting people in touch with Mamuka Mamulashvili, commander of the Georgian National Legion. 

‘I have helmets, flak jackets and medical supplies all going out as well as a group of volunteers.’

On Sunday President Zelensky urged foreigners to head to Ukrainian embassies in their home countries to sign up for an ‘international brigade’ to help fight invading Russian forces.

He said: ‘All foreigners wishing to join the resistance against the Russian occupiers and protect global security are invited by the Ukrainian leadership to come to our state and join the ranks of the territorial defence forces,’ Zelensky said in a statement on the presidential website.

Members of Georgian Legion train civilians to adapt them with the self-defence capabilities in January

Members of Georgian Legion train civilians to adapt them with the self-defence capabilities in January

The paramilitary unit formed mainly by ethnic Georgian volunteers to fight against Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014, now includes people of various nationalities

The paramilitary unit formed mainly by ethnic Georgian volunteers to fight against Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014, now includes people of various nationalities

Commander Mamuka Mamulashvili told MailOnline: 'anyone from the UK who wants to come and fight is to get in touch with the Ukrainian embassy in London and they will advise how to get to our base. If that is not possible volunteers should make their way to Poland and cross the border into Ukraine and head for the city of Lviv where we have a mobilisation base and make themselves known to the local authorities'

Commander Mamuka Mamulashvili told MailOnline: ‘anyone from the UK who wants to come and fight is to get in touch with the Ukrainian embassy in London and they will advise how to get to our base. If that is not possible volunteers should make their way to Poland and cross the border into Ukraine and head for the city of Lviv where we have a mobilisation base and make themselves known to the local authorities’

‘A separate unit is being formed from foreigners — the International Brigade of the territorial defence of Ukraine. This will be a key testimony of your support for our country.’

Since 2016 it has been legal for foreigners to join the Ukrainian army. 

Yesterday Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and a No 10 spokesman both appeared to contradict Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who yesterday gave her backing to Britons who wanted to join the resistance movement. 

Mr Wallace said he didn’t ‘want to see British people killed any more than I want to see Ukrainians’ and asked people who were not properly trained or an ‘experienced member of an armed forced’ not to join the war in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was ‘very dangerous’, Mr Wallace told Sky News, and there were ‘better ways’ to support the country.  

Asked if the Prime Minister supported her remarks, a No 10 spokesman said yesterday the travel advice was not to go to Ukraine. 

He added: ‘We think the best way of helping now is ensuring Putin fails.’ 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10563685/British-Lads-Army-volunteers-head-Ukrainian-embassy-sign-fight-Putin.html

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