Russian forces have reportedly captured a British mercenary fighting alongside the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region, according to Russia’s RIA state news agency. The region, partially controlled by Kyiv forces, has been a flashpoint for recent military activity.
“A mercenary from Great Britain, who called himself James Scott Rhys Anderson, was captured. He is now giving evidence,” a Russian security source told RIA in remarks published on Sunday.
A video shared on pro-war Russian Telegram channels shows a young man, identifying himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, speaking in English. In the video, the bearded man, clad in military gear with his hands apparently tied behind his back, claims to have previously served in the British Army. The authenticity of the video and reports could not be independently verified.
The British Foreign Office did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment but told the BBC it was “supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention.”
The incident follows a surprise Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August. While Ukrainian forces initially seized some territory, Kyiv reported over the weekend that it has since lost over 40% of the reclaimed areas as Russian counterattacks intensify.