Russia breaks silence on ex-British soldier captured fighting Putin’s troops

Former British soldier James Scott Rhys Anderson has been remanded in custody in Kursk, according to media reports.

A Telegram message posted by state-aligned news agency RIAN branded Mr Anderson a “British mercenary”, adding: “He illegally crossed the Russian state border as part of the Ukrainian armed forces and took part in military operations in the Kursk region.”

Foreign Secretary yesterday pledged that the government will do “all we can” to support a British man reportedly captured by Russian forces while fighting for .

The individual, who identified himself in a widely circulated video as James Scott Rhys Anderson, claimed to be a former member of the British armed forces.

Speaking during a visit to Italy, Mr Lammy addressed the reports, saying: “I have been updated about that development in the last couple of days, and of course we will do all we can to offer this UK national all the support we can.”

In footage first posted on Telegram on Sunday, the 22-year-old appears dressed in combat fatigues with his hands tied.

Speaking with an English accent, he introduces himself as a former member of the British Army, saying: “I was in the British Army before, from 2019 to 2023, 22 Signal Regiment. Just a private.

“I was a signalman. One Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment, 252 Squadron.”

Mr Anderson explains that he joined ’s International Legion after losing his job.

He added: “When I left, I got fired from my job. I applied on the International Legion webpage.

“I had just lost everything. I just lost my job. It was a stupid idea.”

The video includes details of his journey to , describing how he travelled from London Luton to Krakow in Poland, before taking a bus to Medyka on the Polish-Ukrainian border.

Russian state news agency Tass previously reported that a “UK mercenary” was “taken prisoner in the Kursk area” of , citing a military source.