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‘Unlawful’ for Britons to fight in Ukraine, says UK military head

  • His comments contradict British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who has said she supports anyone who wants to volunteer
  • Meanwhile, UK opposition leader dials down calls for PM Boris Johnson to resign as he says country needs ‘unity’ in the face of Russia’s aggression

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Ukrainian soldiers ready to reach the front line in Lviv. Photo: SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
dpaandAgence France-Presse

The head of Britain’s armed forces Admiral Tony Radakin on Sunday said it was “unlawful and unhelpful” for Britons to go and fight against Russia in Ukraine.

His comments contradict British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said she supported anyone who wanted to volunteer, and comes after an appeal for foreign fighters to come to Ukraine from President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We’ve been very clear that it’s unlawful as well as unhelpful for UK military and for the UK population, to start going toward Ukraine,” Chief of the Defence Staff Radakin told BBC television.

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“Support from the UK, support in whatever way you can. But this isn’t really something that you want to rush to, in terms of the sound of gunfire.”

02:28

Thai democracy activists volunteer to fight for Ukraine

Thai democracy activists volunteer to fight for Ukraine

Truss said last week that she would “absolutely” support Britons wanting to go to Ukraine to fight, and an unknown number have already gone.

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