British people signing up to fight alongside Ukrainians say they are doing it out of “solidarity” and because “it’s the right thing to do”.
A steady stream of people arrived at the Ukrainian embassy in west London on Tuesday to volunteer to fight against Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the formation of an “international legion” to help defend his country and appealed to foreign volunteers to come forward, promising them arms to fight against Russian troops.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would “absolutely” support British nationals who chose to go to help fight against the Russian invasion, though several of her Cabinet colleagues and Downing Street officials later effectively contradicted her, discouraging people from going.
Liam Hawkins, 30, drove to the Ukrainian embassy from Deptford, south-east London, to sign up to help refugees stuck at the border in a humanitarian capacity.
The 30-year-old father told reporters: “I haven’t slept since this invasion and I just can’t stay at home with my babies and my missus and do nothing.
“Right is right and wrong is wrong, regardless of nationality or creed or whatever.
“I’ve got a good life here in England, I’ve got a good job, I make plenty of money.
“Sit there and count your money when this is going on next door? Doesn’t mean nothing, so I’m going to do the right thing.
“I know it’s dangerous, people are trying to talk me out of it, but I believe I can make a difference.”
Oliver Miller, 29, a mechanical engineering student from Chelmsford, Essex, said he is “hoping to go out and help somehow”.
“Obviously, the conflict in Ukraine has been going on for a while, conflict with Russia dabbling in stuff they shouldn’t has been going on for even longer.
“I don’t want to sound cliched and cheesy, but sometimes it’s something you feel like you have to do.
“And quite frankly, I kicked myself over not doing anything about Donbas, and I know I’ll kick myself if I don’t do anything about this.”
Not sure how supportive they’ll be of this decision, we shall see
He said he has not told his “very supportive” family and girlfriend.
“Not sure how supportive they’ll be of this decision, we shall see.”
Andrew Duda, Wolverhampton branch chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said he had “had some phone calls” from people in the UK wanting to travel to fight the Russians in Ukraine, but had referred them to the embassy in London.
He said: “Anybody that does want to fight, we’ve been told to advise them to contact the Ukrainian embassy in London.
“I’m not sure what the procedure is once people get to the embassy, but that’s what we’ve been told.”
