'You're not in it for a selfie': Brits warned against going to Ukraine frontlines

Britons who travel to Ukraine to fight against Russian forces shouldn't think of it is a "selfie opportunity" and that any fighting will be done in six weeks, the UK defence secretary has said.

Ben Wallace said the Ukrainians have made it clear those who sign up are "in it for the whole game", as they desperately fight off Vladimir Putin's forces.

He said: “The Ukrainians are very clear: you turn up, you are in it for the whole game. You are not in it for a selfie and six weeks, you are in it for real.

“I think we have seen already some people at the borders find that may be not be the right option to follow.”

A Downing Street spokesperson also warned of consequences once they are back on British soil.

They said: “We’ve said before that there may be [arrests or action taken], and the fact that it is possible that it could lead to prosecution.”

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Current members of the British armed forces have also been told they would be breaking the law if they head to the frontlines, amid reports four soldiers have gone AWOL, including a 19-year-old Coldstream Guard.

Wallace told the House of Commons that any servicing personnel who go to Ukraine “will be breaking the law and they will be prosecuted when they return for going absent without leave or deserting”.

Those who may have already travelled to the war zone will face a court martial upon their return.

The warning is in stark contrast to comments made by foreign secretary Liz Truss shortly after the invasion, in which she said she “absolutely” was in favour of British nationals joining the war. She has since backtracked on those comments following fierce criticism.

According to reports in The Sun, one of those travelling to Ukraine to fight is a teenaged Coldstream Guardsman, who has quit his barracks in Windsor and left a note for his parents outlining his intentions.

Ministers’ concerns about Britons being caught up in the fighting were underlined by Cabinet minister Grant Shapps, who said it risked creating a “dangerous situation” with the Russians.

Asked what action Russia might take if a British soldier was found fighting with Ukrainian troops, Shapps said: “There’s a big difference between Britain sending its army in and some people who are breaking with our law and going to do it.

“But, clearly, this is a dangerous situation. And clearly, we want to make sure that the assistance we’re providing is done in an official way – like the anti-tank missiles that we provided prior to and during this conflict, and like the 22,000 Ukrainians that we’ve trained.”

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