Kyiv, 31 May. A Scottish mercenary involved in Ukraine’s territorial defense said British soldiers in the Foreign Legion were used as “cannon fodder”. He said this in an interview with Channel 4 News.
Ben Aitkin, 18, is the youngest Briton to travel to Ukraine. Speaking to Channel 4 News, he complained about the lack of organization, training and equipment of the fighters in the foreign legion.
Scots said he nearly came under fire from a military base near Lviv, which killed dozens of foreign soldiers.
“You can’t trust these people when you’re in the area. This is real unorganized chaos, your weapons are weak… If you understand that you will be used as cannon fodder and you are not against it and want to help, then I will not stop you. But there are other ways to support such as fundraising, making donations, working with NGOs. Do what you want, but it is pointless to die – this is not a sign of courage, but stupidity, ”said Aitkin.
The mercenary went to Ukraine in March with no combat experience other than basic training as a military cadet. On arrival he was told that his quarterly service would actually be three years and that he would be sent to Donetsk within 24 hours.
Soon, Aitkin refused to fight and started working for an NGO supplying the country with food and ammunition.
“I think hundreds of people went there initially. Many men left after Lvov’s first attack, realizing that this was not a game. I would say more than 20 Brits died,” said the Scot.
According to the news of The Washington Post, Americans who participated in the conflicts in Ukraine as mercenaries during the Russian special operations had previously shared their disappointment and talked about the contradiction between their expectations and reality. They noted that they often went to war with a lack of weapons and equipment.
Source: Riafan
