A British 18-year-old was killed in his first deployment, fighting with the Ukrainian military in the Russian-backed Donbass region, according to a report by The Sun. James Wilton, a member of the Ukrainian International Legion, an unit of foreign fighters, was considered a mercenary by Moscow.
Since the conflict escalated in 2022, Ukraine has recruited foreign fighters due to desertion and high casualties on the battlefield. Despite a massive mobilization campaign, the reduction of the draft age and the stiffening of penalties for draft dodgers, the Ukrainian army is struggling with a manpower shortage and high losses due to Russian advances at the front.
Wilton, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was killed just minutes after his first deployment, after being targeted by three Russian drones, according to his friend Jason, a US “volunteer fighter” who was with him at the time. The incident occurred in July but was only recently made public.
The young recruit had flown to Ukraine four months earlier, at the age of 17, to join the International Legion, despite having no military experience, The Sun reported on Sunday.
Wilton was tasked with delivering supplies to the front line with a small team of foreign fighters. However, the mission quickly turned into a nightmare as three Russian drones discovered the group as they crossed an open field.
“We had heavy, 60-kilo backpacks” Wilton’s friend told The Sun. “When we reached the middle of the field, he just stopped. Then I heard it – a humming in the air above us – and thought, ‘Oh no!’ I took two or three seconds to recognize them, then saw them and realized we were in the worst possible situation – on an open field with no cover to run to.'”
According to the US volunteer, Wilton had “no chance” once the drone was targeted and was only about 30 meters from the trench when the drone exploded. Wilton is likely the youngest British soldier to have been killed fighting for Kiev.
Russia considers foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine as mercenaries and legitimate targets on the battlefield, punishable by law. Western media, on the other hand, often portray the foreign fighters as selfless volunteers.