Ukraine invasion: How can British veterans help?
As Ukraine appeals to the world for help, ministers have warned Britons against travelling to join Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a foreign legion to join his country's fight, and it appears some are willing to do so.
Former SAS soldier Robin Horsfall told Forces News that he's been approached by people wanting to get involved, but believes they could be doing more harm than good.
Mr Horsfall said: "I don't think it's as simple as asking veterans to join the fight.
"They're not short of manpower, they're short material and they're short of expertise.
"Anybody that wants to go to Ukraine and help and become part of foreign assistance must go through the Ukrainian Embassy.
"The Ukrainians are doing an amazing job of fighting on their own ground, and they've got a lot of volunteers," he added.
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The former SAS soldier told Forces News that people turning up in Ukraine on a 'moral crusade' wouldn't be helpful.
Instead, he suggested "anybody that's got expertise that is valuable to the Ukrainian Government right now, should go to the Secretary of State at the Ukrainian Embassy in whichever country they're in and co-ordinate through them".
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace echoed this point, urging Britons not to travel to Ukraine to join the fighting as he said the "very dangerous" situation could lead to them being killed.
Mr Wallace said he does not "want to see British people killed any more than I want to see Ukrainians" dying.
The Defence Secretary, who served in the Scots Guards, said there are "better ways" for Britons to help.
Cover image: UK military vehicles move towards Estonia as Russia continues to attack Ukraine (Picture: Reuters).
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