London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 14, 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
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
×