Dad of Brit POW captured by Russia says ‘he was in love with Ukrainian lady’
The father of a British prisoner of war captured by Russia has revealed that his son “had fallen in love with a Ukrainian girl” and that the family had pleaded with him not to go to the frontline.
James Scott Rhys Anderson, a British mercenary fighting for Ukraine within Russia, has been taken captive by Vladimir Putin’s forces.
The 22 year old ex-signalman was apprehended in the Ukrainian-occupied Kursk region of Russia, as reported by Kremlin media. In a disturbing interrogation video, he admitted to serving in the British Army for four years before being dismissed and applying to join Ukraine’s International Brigade as a mercenary.
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His father, Scott Anderson, 41, disclosed that he and other family members had implored his son not to travel to Ukraine. However, he stated that James was undeterred as he “thought what he was doing was right.”
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
He also mentioned that James had fallen for a Ukrainian girl he met while in the country and was scheduled to return home for Christmas in a few weeks.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the father-of-four said: “We spoke on WhatsApp almost every day until he went on his most recent operation. He was acting as a signalman. James last came home only a month and a half ago. He said his Ukrainian commander had made a promise that he’d contact me if he was ever killed or captured.
His mother recounted: “When he called me and sent the video I was in complete shock and in tears. I could see straight away it was him. He looks frightened, scared and worried. I didn’t want him to go. I did try to persuade him not to go. My whole family tried to persuade him.”
She added: “He wanted to go out there because he thought he was doing what was right. He was dead against what was happening to the Ukrainian people. Since he went out earlier this year, he’s fallen in love with a Ukrainian although I don’t know her name.”
During the interrogation, James stated: “James Scott Rhys Anderson, 24 May 2002. I was British Army before, 2019 to 2023. 22 Signal Regiment, just a private. I was a signalman. 1 Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment. 252 Squadron.”
He then revealed: “Okay so when I left, got fired from my job, I applied on the International Legion (of Ukraine) webpage. I had just lost everything. I just lost my job. My dad was away in prison. I see it on the TV. It’s a stupid idea.”
(Image: AP)
James then detailed his journey: “I flew to Krakow, Poland, from London Luton. Bus from there to Medyka in Poland, on the Ukraine border (and then to Ukraine).”
According to a Russian military source, who spoke to the state-controlled TASS news agency: “A mercenary from Britain has been taken prisoner in the Kursk region.”
According to a Russian report: “Overall, the footage will be useful and will be able to tell a lot of interesting things about communications and its structure in the British army.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the FCDO conveyed: “We are supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention.”
In another development, Ukraine manages to hold several hundred square kilometres within Russia’s Kursk region, although Putin’s forces are steadily reclaiming territory. Assistance from North Korean soldiers has been acknowledged, with troops being stationed in the contested region.
