Wounded British Soldier Shown On Russian State TV

A wounded fighter from the UK was shown on a state-run Russian TV channel after being captured by troops while fighting in Ukraine. 

Dad-of-four Andrew Hill from Plymouth was filmed on Rossiya 1 state TV wearing military fatigues with his left arm in a sling and a bandage around his bloodied head. 

Speaking to the camera as a part of an interrogation, he said he received treatment for a gunshot wound by Russian soldiers. 

Hill went on to say he has four children and a partner, having travelled of his own accord in order to help Ukraine’s defence against Vladimir Putin’s attack. 

East2West/TV Zvezda

"I don't have a rank... I just know the foreign legion said I could help,” he said, as reported by Reuters. 

Hill asked one of the Russian troops behind the camera how long he would be held before being allowed back to England and he was informed: “I can't tell you anything about that, but you can rest assured you're safe.”

The Brit was then asked: "What would you like to say to other Englishmen who decide to go to Ukraine?” to which he replied: "They need to really think about it, This doesn’t involve us."

When asked about how the communication between his group and the Ukrainians was organised, Hill responded with: "I was not involved in that, but the information we get was very minimal, we don’t really get told very much at all if anything."

It is believed Hill surrendered to Russian troops in the Mykolaiv region of southwestern Ukraine, and was carrying a weapon. 

This is the same region where the first British fighter Scott Sibley was killed in the conflict.

The news was confirmed this week (28 April) through a statement by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which read: "We can confirm that a British national has been killed in Ukraine and are supporting the family."

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Another Brit is said to be missing, with a spokesperson adding: "We are aware of a British national who is missing in Ukraine and are supporting their family. 

“We are urgently seeking further information."

The pair were thought to be fighting as volunteers to support Ukraine's army, although this is yet to be confirmed. 

Sibley’s friend, Craig, has since set up a GoFundMe page for the fallen soldier to help cover the funeral costs. 

Although the goal was set at £5000, it has reached nearly £17,000 at the time of writing, with Craig writing: “Sadly on the 23rd April 2022, Scott Sibley ‘Sibs’ was taken from us all.

“On behalf of Sibs and his family I'm setting this gofundme page up, to try and raise funds to help cover funeral/additional costs, for our fallen hero and dear friend.

“Scott was a son, father, brother and uncle. To me he was a friend like no other and the bravest person I've had the pleasure to have known, he was as good as a brother to me.

“His life may have been cut short but he lived to the full and did things the Sibs way, right until the end.”

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information