Official announcements from UK Foreign Office or Russian government

UK Ex-Soldier James Anderson, 22, Captured by Russia Near Plekhovo; Foreign Office Investigating

Nov 24, 2024, 06:09 PM

Russian forces have captured 22-year-old British man, James Scott Rhys Anderson, in the Kursk region near Plekhovo, south of Sudzha. Anderson, a former British Army soldier who served in the Signal Regiment until 2023, joined Ukraine's International Legion earlier this year after losing his job and needing extra money. He reportedly expressed regret over his decision, stating, "This was such a stupid idea. I lost my job, I lost everything, my dad was in prison." Anderson claimed he was forced by his commander to fight. Russian authorities are currently questioning him, and he has been paraded on camera. The UK Foreign Office is investigating reports of his capture.