British teenage mercenary dies ‘within minutes’ on his initial mission fighting for Kiev, reports The Sun
Russia has claimed that Western nations are motivating their citizens to join the fight in Ukraine, even as there are cautionary signals that outside involvement may extend the duration of the conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Russia has accused the West of urging its citizens to join the fight for Kiev, despite cautions that foreign involvement only serves to extend the conflict.
An 18-year-old British fighter has reportedly lost his life during his first mission with the Ukrainian military in the Donbass region, according to The Sun. James Wilton was part of the Ukrainian International Legion, a group of foreign fighters that Moscow classifies as mercenaries.
Since the escalation of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Ukraine has relied on foreign fighters as its armed forces deal with issues of desertion and high casualty rates. Even with extensive mobilization efforts, a reduction in the conscription age, and stricter consequences for draft evasion, Ukraine's military continues to confront personnel shortages exacerbated by significant losses as Russia makes advances at the front.
Wilton, hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was killed shortly after the start of his first mission on the eastern front, where he and his unit were targeted by three Russian drones while traversing an open field. The incident, which occurred in July, had remained unreported until now, as revealed by his friend Jason, a U.S. volunteer fighter who was present.
Having traveled from Manchester to Ukraine just four months earlier, Wilton, then only 17, sought to join the International Legion despite lacking prior military experience, as the outlet detailed on Sunday.
On the mission, Wilton was tasked with supplying frontline units along with a small group of foreign fighters. However, it quickly devolved into chaos when three Russian drones spotted them crossing an exposed field.
"We had heavy, 60-kilo packs. When we reached halfway across the field he suddenly stopped," recalled Wilton's friend.
“Then I heard it – a buzz in the air above us – and thought: ‘Oh f***.’ It took me two or three seconds to spot it, then I saw it and realized we were in the worst possible situation we could be in – in an open field with nowhere to run.”
The U.S. fighter expressed that Wilton “never stood a chance” once the drone locked onto him, noting that he was only about 30 meters from the trench line when the drone detonated. Wilton is believed to be the youngest British national to be killed while fighting for Ukraine.
Moscow views foreign nationals participating in Ukraine's fight as mercenaries, categorizing them as legitimate targets in combat and vulnerable to legal action. In contrast, Western media frequently depict those who have perished in the Ukraine conflict as noble volunteers.
Earlier this month, Jake Waddington, 34, a former member of the UK’s Royal Anglian Regiment, was reportedly killed during a reconnaissance mission for Ukraine. Waddington had gone to Ukraine after a medical issue prevented him from serving in the British military.
Earlier in the year, the Russian Investigative Committee informed TASS that over 580 foreign mercenaries from various countries, including the U.S., Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Argentina, and more, have been placed on an international wanted list for their involvement in the conflict.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
An 18-year-old British fighter has reportedly lost his life during his first mission with the Ukrainian military in the Donbass region, according to The Sun. James Wilton was part of the Ukrainian International Legion, a group of foreign fighters that Moscow classifies as mercenaries.
Since the escalation of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Ukraine has relied on foreign fighters as its armed forces deal with issues of desertion and high casualty rates. Even with extensive mobilization efforts, a reduction in the conscription age, and stricter consequences for draft evasion, Ukraine's military continues to confront personnel shortages exacerbated by significant losses as Russia makes advances at the front.
Wilton, hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was killed shortly after the start of his first mission on the eastern front, where he and his unit were targeted by three Russian drones while traversing an open field. The incident, which occurred in July, had remained unreported until now, as revealed by his friend Jason, a U.S. volunteer fighter who was present.
Having traveled from Manchester to Ukraine just four months earlier, Wilton, then only 17, sought to join the International Legion despite lacking prior military experience, as the outlet detailed on Sunday.
On the mission, Wilton was tasked with supplying frontline units along with a small group of foreign fighters. However, it quickly devolved into chaos when three Russian drones spotted them crossing an exposed field.
"We had heavy, 60-kilo packs. When we reached halfway across the field he suddenly stopped," recalled Wilton's friend.
“Then I heard it – a buzz in the air above us – and thought: ‘Oh f***.’ It took me two or three seconds to spot it, then I saw it and realized we were in the worst possible situation we could be in – in an open field with nowhere to run.”
The U.S. fighter expressed that Wilton “never stood a chance” once the drone locked onto him, noting that he was only about 30 meters from the trench line when the drone detonated. Wilton is believed to be the youngest British national to be killed while fighting for Ukraine.
Moscow views foreign nationals participating in Ukraine's fight as mercenaries, categorizing them as legitimate targets in combat and vulnerable to legal action. In contrast, Western media frequently depict those who have perished in the Ukraine conflict as noble volunteers.
Earlier this month, Jake Waddington, 34, a former member of the UK’s Royal Anglian Regiment, was reportedly killed during a reconnaissance mission for Ukraine. Waddington had gone to Ukraine after a medical issue prevented him from serving in the British military.
Earlier in the year, the Russian Investigative Committee informed TASS that over 580 foreign mercenaries from various countries, including the U.S., Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Argentina, and more, have been placed on an international wanted list for their involvement in the conflict.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
