Alexander Garms-Rizzi, 21, slipped away from his regiment while it was deployed in Estonia and joined Ukraine's foreign legion. He spent six months fighting on the frontline near the southern city of Mykolaiv before returning to the UK.
In July, he became the first British soldier to be imprisoned for deserting the army and signing up with Ukraine's armed forces. He had defied orders and created a "security risk", a tribunal was told.
Roman Kostenko, a politician and special forces colonel, said GarmsRizzi had served in Ukraine under his personal command. The soldier - part of an infantry regiment - was one of 10 foreign volunteers who in spring 2022 helped Kostenko beat back a Russian advance around Mykolaiv.
"He arrived soon after the fullscale invasion. Even though he was young, he was an accomplished soldier," Kostenko said. "He spoke fluent Russian and served as a translator. He shared his military experience with us, including on how to use foreign-made weapons." Garms-Rizzi - whose mother is Russian - was "straightforward" when asked why he had volunteered to defend Ukraine, Kostenko said.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin September 11, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin September 11, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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