Russian forces claim capture of British mercenary in Kursk

Russian forces claim to have captured a British mercenary fighting alongside the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region, which remains partially under Kyiv’s control, a security source told RIA, Russia’s state news agency.

Details

• The individual identified himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, according to the Russian source.
• A video circulating on pro-war Russian Telegram channels shows a man with a beard, hands tied behind his back, and wearing military clothing. In the video, the man states in English that he previously served in the British army.
• Reuters has not independently verified the video or the claims made by RIA and other Russian outlets.

UK’s response

• The British Foreign Office has not commented on the reports as of now.
• The BBC reported earlier that the foreign office is “supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention.”

Broader context

• Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk in August and still control parts of it.
• Kyiv acknowledged over the weekend that it has lost more than 40% of the territory it initially captured as Russian counter-assaults intensify.

Why it matters?

The alleged capture of a British mercenary adds a new dimension to the conflict, further highlighting the international scope of fighters involved and potentially straining U.K.-Russia relations amid the ongoing war.