How many British soldiers are fighting in Ukraine and Russia?
Bradley Townsend becomes first Brit to die fighting for Putin forces
Bradley Townsend has been called "unbelievably stupid" for joining up with Vladimir Putin's forces and becoming the first Briton to be killed fighting on Russia's side in the Ukraine conflict.
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The self-described "normal Yorkshire lad" was killed in drone fire 10 weeks after being recruited to fight on Moscow's side, despite having no military experience.
“I’m not here for a suicide mission, but I understand that’s what can happen," he had said in a video.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat said joining the Russian army is "an unbelievably stupid thing to do".
The Tonbridge MP told LBC he was “very sorry for him and his family” but added that “joining the Russian army in its war of aggression is an unbelievably stupid thing to do".
How many British soldiers are fighting in Ukraine and Russia?
Britain has not deployed its own army to assist with the war in Ukraine, but thousands of foreign soldiers have joined up with Volodymyr Zelenskyy's forces since the conflict began in 2022.
Joining up with Ukrainian forces is illegal under UK law, but it is also not enforced, meaning that volunteers would escape punishment even though they have broken the law.
Sky reported that 3,000 Brits were among the 20,000 foreign soldiers to join with Ukraine when Putin's forces invaded four years ago.
In 2024, Rishi Sunak said "a small number" had volunteered but did not put a figure on it.
There have been very few Brits volunteer to fight alongside Russia, and Bradley Townsend is thought to have been the first to have died.
There are no official figures for how many Britons are fighting on either side of the conflict.