Brit Who Visited Afghanistan During Taliban Takeover Now Planning Ukraine Trip
A former physics student who was holidaying in Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover now wants to visit Ukraine following rising tensions with Russia.
Miles Routledge, 22, from Birmingham, went to Afghanistan on holiday last year because he fancied something a little different to the Algarve, and he ended up having to be evacuated from Kabul by the British Army.
Now, with Russia on the brink of invading Ukraine, the thrill-seeker confessed to Daily Mail that he wants 'to see the war'.
The former Loughborough University student said: "I've been to Ukraine before so I'm hoping to see something new.
"I want to see the war. I want to see the feelings of both sides, their opinions and hopefully I'll see the critical point of the conflict, if it is to come."
Miles faced criticism on social media from those who disapproved of his dangerous travelling.
However, the 22-year-old is comfortable with the heavy reaction.
He added: "I'd say I wish them all the best but truthfully they were never my audience and for every seething comment made against me, behind it was my friends and I eating popcorn and laughing at them.
"I'll continue to travel regardless of their opinions.
"I'll even go back to Afghanistan and there's nothing they can do about it."
Miles aims to land in Lviv, western Ukraine, on Thursday, after a flight from Luton via Gdańsk, Poland.
He wrote on Twitter: "The flight to Ukraine is cheap as chips.
"I'll also be applying for a Russian visa in the meantime, just in case Russia visits me in Ukraine."
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office doesn't recommend travelling to Donetsk and Crimea due to ‘continuing uncertainty about Russian intentions’.
The guidance reads: "Due to the growing threat from Russia, the FCDO has taken the decision to temporarily withdraw some Embassy staff and their dependants from Kyiv.
"The Embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work, including providing consular assistance and support to British nationals in Ukraine.
"The security situation in the south-eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine is highly unstable with ongoing clashes between Ukrainian armed forces and Russian-backed armed separatists.
"Consular support is not available in parts of Ukraine not currently under control of the Ukrainian authorities – Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts."
Topics: UK News
Anish Vij