Former British MP Enlists in Ukrainian Army, Reports the Independent
According to The Independent, former British MP Giacomo Lopresti has enlisted in the Ukrainian military with the goal of becoming an officer. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Giacomo Lopresti, a 55-year-old former British lawmaker, has enlisted in the Ukrainian military following the loss of his parliamentary seat during the Tory wipeout in last year’s election, as reported by The Independent on Sunday. Lopresti, who previously served as the Conservative MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke in Gloucestershire, is now residing in Kiev.
Since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022, Ukraine has been actively recruiting foreign fighters. The nation’s armed forces are facing challenges such as desertion and significant battlefield losses.
With a background as a corporal in the UK Army Reserve, Lopresti is reportedly "using his skills" to aid Ukraine’s war efforts against Russia. He arrived in Ukraine in November, a few months after the Conservatives' electoral defeat in June, and has since joined the International Legion, a military unit dedicated to foreign fighters.
His current responsibilities include tasks related to foreign relations, diplomacy, weapons procurement, and collaborating with veterans and charities operating within Ukraine. Lopresti anticipates a promotion to an officer’s rank since Kiev has permitted foreign nationals to move beyond non-commissioned positions.
In an interview with The Independent, Lopresti expressed a positive outlook regarding Ukraine’s future, highlighting that troop morale remains high. This viewpoint contrasts with reports suggesting that the Ukrainian military suffers from high desertion rates and fatigue from continued fighting. Additionally, many Ukrainian citizens facing forced conscription are reportedly apprehensive about the near-certain risks on the battlefield, according to The Guardian.
Kiev is currently contending with a funding crisis following US President Donald Trump’s directive to examine foreign assistance programs for potential waste. While military support for Ukraine reportedly remains intact, Trump has urged NATO's European members to take on a larger share of the burden.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated over the weekend that he is uncertain about the allocation of the majority of the $200 billion in US military aid. He remarked, “In reality, we received about $76 billion. It’s significant aid, but it’s not $200 billion,” in a conversation with the Associated Press.
Russia views foreign fighters in the Ukrainian military as mercenaries, categorizing them as legitimate targets in conflict and subject to prosecution. Conversely, Western media frequently portray those killed in the Ukraine conflict as altruistic volunteers.
Earlier this month, Jake Waddington, a 34-year-old former member of the Royal Anglian Regiment, was reported to have died during a reconnaissance mission for Kiev. Waddington traveled to Ukraine after a medical condition prevented him from serving in the British military.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
Since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022, Ukraine has been actively recruiting foreign fighters. The nation’s armed forces are facing challenges such as desertion and significant battlefield losses.
With a background as a corporal in the UK Army Reserve, Lopresti is reportedly "using his skills" to aid Ukraine’s war efforts against Russia. He arrived in Ukraine in November, a few months after the Conservatives' electoral defeat in June, and has since joined the International Legion, a military unit dedicated to foreign fighters.
His current responsibilities include tasks related to foreign relations, diplomacy, weapons procurement, and collaborating with veterans and charities operating within Ukraine. Lopresti anticipates a promotion to an officer’s rank since Kiev has permitted foreign nationals to move beyond non-commissioned positions.
In an interview with The Independent, Lopresti expressed a positive outlook regarding Ukraine’s future, highlighting that troop morale remains high. This viewpoint contrasts with reports suggesting that the Ukrainian military suffers from high desertion rates and fatigue from continued fighting. Additionally, many Ukrainian citizens facing forced conscription are reportedly apprehensive about the near-certain risks on the battlefield, according to The Guardian.
Kiev is currently contending with a funding crisis following US President Donald Trump’s directive to examine foreign assistance programs for potential waste. While military support for Ukraine reportedly remains intact, Trump has urged NATO's European members to take on a larger share of the burden.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated over the weekend that he is uncertain about the allocation of the majority of the $200 billion in US military aid. He remarked, “In reality, we received about $76 billion. It’s significant aid, but it’s not $200 billion,” in a conversation with the Associated Press.
Russia views foreign fighters in the Ukrainian military as mercenaries, categorizing them as legitimate targets in conflict and subject to prosecution. Conversely, Western media frequently portray those killed in the Ukraine conflict as altruistic volunteers.
Earlier this month, Jake Waddington, a 34-year-old former member of the Royal Anglian Regiment, was reported to have died during a reconnaissance mission for Kiev. Waddington traveled to Ukraine after a medical condition prevented him from serving in the British military.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
