Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested on 15 September after allegedly aiming a powerful AK-47-style assault rifle through the bushes at Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
The 58-year-old former roofing contractor from North Carolina had become fanatical about supporting Ukraine’s right to defend itself from Russia’s invasion. He was said to have contacted Ukraine’s International Legion with ideas that Ukrainian military personnel described as “delusional”.
In messages linked to Mr Routh’s WhatsApp account and seen by The Independent and investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports, there are discussions with Afghan special forces about how to get to Ukraine to fight.
The extraordinary revelation highlights the desperation of these Afghan commandos who were paid for and trained by the British to fight the Taliban but were left abandoned after Kabul fell in 2021. Many have fled Afghanistan and are now trying to survive in Iran, as the UK drags its feet about offering safe haven – despite promising to do so nine months ago.
The Independent, in collaboration with Lighthouse Reports and Afghan newspaper Etilaat Roz, has been investigating attempts to recruit these former soldiers as fighters in foreign wars with the lure of high wages.
One former special forces soldier, Hafizullah, who is living in Iran, ended up communicating with Mr Routh’s WhatsApp about potentially going to help Ukraine. Hafizullah served for eight years in a specialist unit known as Commando Force 333, which was set up and run by the British.
He fled from Afghanistan to Iran with his wife and baby son in early 2022. In a sign of the breadth of recruiters trying to entice former Afghan soldiers into combat, Hafizullah says he has received offers to fight in Ukraine, Iraq and Syria since being in Iran.
This story is from the November 24, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 24, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title
Andy Murray will coach his longtime rival Novak Djokovic before and during the Australian Open in January.
Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash
It was with not inconsiderable disappointment that news came through on Friday afternoon that illness had laid Eddie Jones low and the Japan head coach would be unable to conduct a planned press conference.
Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win
Wales slumped to a 12th successive Test match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland saw the pressure ramped up on him as world champions South Africa won 45-12 at the Principality Stadium.
Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them
In typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most-effective marksman.
Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality
The Emirates rose to its feet as soon as it became clear Martin Odegaard would be departing.
City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling
Five in a row has taken on a different meaning for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’
Aviation group warns of dangers ranging from attacks by Houthi rebels to overloads of air traffic control systems
Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil
North Korea has allegedly imported more than a million barrels of oil from Russia this year, flouting United Nations sanctions, according to satellite analysis.
Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal
Delegates finally agree after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations and loud protests echoing through corridors
Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus
Dozens of rabbits found dead with missing eyes and ears had a \"dangerous\" and \"highly contagious\" form of hepatitis, according to the RSPCA.
