Russia has accused the West of encouraging its citizens to fight for Kiev despite warnings that foreign involvement merely prolongs the conflict
An 18-year-old British fighter has been killed on his first mission while fighting with the Ukrainian military in Russia’s Donbass, The Sun has reported. James Wilton was a member of the Ukrainian International Legion – a unit of foreign fighters that Moscow considers mercenaries.
Ukraine has been recruiting foreign fighters since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022, as its armed forces struggle with desertion and battlefield losses. Despite a massive mobilization campaign, lowering the conscription age, and toughening penalties for draft evasion, Kiev’s army has been facing personnel shortages amid heavy losses due to Russia’s advances on the front line.
Wilton, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was killed just minutes into his first mission on the eastern front after being targeted by three Russian drones in an open field, his friend Jason, a US “volunteer fighter” who was with him at the time, told the outlet. The incident took place in July but has gone unreported until now.
The young recruit had flown from Manchester to Ukraine four months prior to that aged only 17 to join Ukraine’s International Legion, despite having no previous military experience, the outlet wrote on Sunday.
Wilton was reportedly tasked with delivering supplies to the front line alongside a small team of foreign fighters, but the mission quickly turned into a nightmare when three Russian drones detected the group as they crossed an open field without cover.
“We had heavy, 60-kilo packs. When we reached halfway across the field he suddenly stopped,” Wilton’s friend told the British tabloid.
“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.”
According to the US fighter, Wilton “never stood a chance” once the drone was on him, adding that he was only about 30 meters from the trench line when the drone exploded. Wilton is believed to be the youngest British soldier of fortune to be killed while fighting for Kiev.
Russia considers foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine to be mercenaries, designating them legitimate targets on the battlefield and subject to prosecution. Western media, however, often portray compatriots killed in the Ukraine conflict as selfless 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 Kiev. Waddington went to Ukraine after a medical condition barred him from serving in the British military.
Earlier this year, the Russian Investigative Committee told TASS that more than 580 foreign mercenaries fighting for Kiev from countries including the US, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Argentina, and others have been placed on the international wanted list.
