Russia’s TASS news agency and pro-Russian Telegram channels have released a video showing a man in military uniform allegedly captured by Russian forces in the Kursk region — an area of western Russia infiltrated and partially held by Ukrainian forces. The man in the video identifies himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson of the United Kingdom. [RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, November 25, 2024.]

In the video — which RFE/RL says has not yet been independently verified — the man identified as Anderson says that he had served in the British Army until 2023, and thereafter joined Ukraine’s forces to fight against Russia. [Id.]

Unlike the legions of professional military troops enlisted by Russia from other countries such as North Korea, and the mercenaries from Chechnya and Russia’s own Wagner Group (now known as the Africa Corps), the thousands of foreigners fighting on the Ukrainian side of the conflict have been volunteers. No NATO-member forces are on the ground in Ukraine, as that alliance exists for defensive purposes, and has a duty to avoid any action that might escalate the existing situation.

Many of the volunteers have enlisted in Ukraine’s elite International Legion, which has been integrated into their ground forces. In Anderson’s video, he states that he had also joined the International Legion. [Id.]

And now this individual — acting as a volunteer in a fight for the independence of a peaceful nation — is in the hands of a regime known for its inhumane treatment of prisoners, both military and civilian. Though we cannot foresee the future, and must — as always in Russia — wait for further news, I am adding Mr. Anderson’s name to my list of foreigners being held in Russian prisons as hostages for Vladimir Putin’s own nefarious purposes.

My fervent wish is to be proven wrong. But officially approved Kremlin news sources do not broadcast information — particularly about the “special military operation” in Ukraine — without clearance from on high. We should be hearing soon from the Kremlin itself with further details — or, at least, their version of them.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/26/24