London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Ukraine: Private militias recruiting ex-soldiers and civilians

Ukraine: Private militias recruiting ex-soldiers and civilians

Some military veterans have received cold call approaches about fighting in Ukraine, the BBC understands.

Private militias have reportedly been scouring social media to recruit ex-soldiers.

Ukraine has previously asked for volunteers to join its International Legion.

But the Foreign Office has said anyone who travels unlawfully to Ukraine for combat will be investigated on their return to the UK.

Afghanistan veteran Steve, not his real name, told the BBC Wales Live programme he had received at least 10 approaches, including one which offered him money.

"Whenever there's conflict the chatter starts up, but there was a different tone to this, a more deliberate tone," he said.

"There are private militias who've been scouring social media for veterans, so these private militias have been trying to recruit."

Steve said he believed the offer of money wasn't genuine, but many of the other contacts he'd received were from other veterans looking to organise groups in the UK before travelling to Ukraine.

One veteran said he had been offered money to fight in Ukraine


"I did very well on my second tour of Afghanistan and obviously when you're over there you make a lot of contacts," he said.

"The more serious guys are trying to organise it here and go as a group of people that are people you've deployed with, served with, people who know each other's skill set."

'Some have no military experience'


However, Steve said he was increasingly concerned for the welfare of both veterans and civilian volunteers.

"A lot of guys want to go out and help, but some are jumping on the bandwagon and have no military experience. Some are veterans, but they've never deployed, so they've never been in combat," he said.

"Veterans with mental health issues, physical issues, and people that go over there that can't fight, that's not actually a help that's more of a hindrance.

"Who are you meeting at the border? Will you get good weapons systems? Will you get medical care? There are too many moving parts."

A Scottish grandfather, Rab Grady (centre), announced he was fighting alongside the Ukrainians on a video he posted online


Despite doing his best to warn others of the dangers, Steve said many veterans would be vulnerable to offers, and the constant talk about going to fight had left his own mind racing.

"I did take myself off down to the beach early hours one morning," he said.

"I needed to get some de-sensitisation away from radio, away from social media, and to just think it through.

"If I think with my brain and not emotion then that tells me I've fought - I've been somewhere and done something - and my priority now is my family."

BBC Wales Live has heard from veteran support staff concerned that more vulnerable members of the community could be tempted by approaches.

Mark, not his real name, is an agricultural worker with no military experience. But he feels he can contribute to Ukraine's war effort.

"I've spoken to a few people, but not many," the 26-year-old said.

"They've all been telling me not to go, that I'm a bit crazy for wanting to go and there are different ways to help, but it feels like the best way to help is by being on the ground.

"I'm ready to book a flight, I've just got bits and bobs to get now and then I'll be over there."

'We've had people ringing up with lists'
An Army surplus store said it had sold stock that would normally take "years" to sell


Kirsty, who works in an Army surplus store, said it had almost sold out of its entire stock of combat helmets and vests.

"We've had people ringing up with lists, asking can we donate items. Things like helmets, plate carriers, any proper military protective gear," she said.

"We're a very small business, the things people want, we can't just give them away."

Robert McCartney, from charity Beyond the Battlefield, said he'd heard of veterans approaching each other about going out to Ukraine.

"Social media is full of it," he said.

"A lot of these guys are saying 'right I'm on my way - does anybody want to be there?'

"They see themselves as being able to go out there and recreate themselves as soldiers.

"They are approaching the guys who are in responsible positions, who are in relationships."

Mr McCartney raised concerns for some vulnerable veterans.

"One of them came in here last week telling me that he was going on Sunday," he said.

"I was able to talk him out of it. He's got an eight-week-old baby and that was his biggest worry, so I was able to play on those worries."

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We advise against travel to Ukraine and anyone who travels to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity, should expect to be investigated upon their return to the UK."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
×