A British man with no military experience or Ukrainian connections has volunteered to sign up to help fight the Russian invasion.
Surrey-based gym owner Leon Dawson, along with a select group of friends, are part of a growing number of British volunteers heading off to fight in Ukraine, and say they are willing to die to protect the country from invading Russian forces.
In an interview with Sky News outside the Ukrainian embassy in London yesterday (28 February), Dawson said that “They look like they need help. We're young, strong, fit men - we can help. So, why not?"
Shortly after making contact with the embassy, the 37-year-old quickly began packing for the journey, ready to fly out to Ukraine at a moment’s notice and showing off gear that he says was lent to him by a friend in the Marines, quipping: "He does want it back, so let's hope we make it back alive."
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"I’ve never been to Ukraine, I don’t know anyone who is Ukrainian, I know nothing about Ukraine,” Leon said. “All I know is that they’re being invaded by a bigger, more superior party and they need help.
"Women and children are being bombed and killed. If I'm this scared and apprehensive, what are the people over there going through? They must be absolutely terrified."
When asked if his family were aware of his intentions, Leon said: “My family are quite upset. Obviously it is a hard time.”
Leon is just one of the many volunteers who have turned up to the Ukrainian embassy in recent days looking to do their part to assist the Ukrainian war effort.
It is estimated that there are already hundreds of Brits volunteering to fight Russia with more expected to follow as the conflict continues.
Another volunteer, The Guardian reports, is 48-year-old Ukrainian lorry driver Petro Symchych, who claims that volunteering to fight is a 'duty to our homeland'.
Speaking outside the Ukrainian social club in London before heading off in a car full of donated supplies, he insisted he was not scared despite the overwhelming military might of the Russians.
He said: “Sooner or later we all die."
Symchych claims to have been reassured by defiant video messages posted by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He said: “At the beginning I wasn’t sure we could trust him, but his videos mean we have started to trust him and he’s proved himself by his actions.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said yesterday that said she 'won't oppose' British nationals who travel to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion - but her comments were immediately countered by defence secretary Ben Wallace, who urged Brits not to join the fighting, saying that the 'very dangerous' situation could lead to them being killed.
The British Army has warned UK soldiers 'on or off leave' not to try and take up arms against Russia.
It is believed there are fears the sight of British insignias could spark a major escalation in the conflict.
Meanwhile, lawyers have warned that Britons leaving to fight in Ukraine could face legal action on their return to the UK.
Under the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1870, it is illegal for British citizens to fight in a war involving a country that is at peace with the UK.
Tom Sanders