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Russia accuses British man caught fighting for Ukraine of terrorism
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
A British man, James Anderson, faces terrorism charges in Russia after being captured in the Kursk region for allegedly fighting for Ukraine.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A British man captured fighting on the Ukrainian side in Russia's Kursk region will face terrorism and mercenary charges that could see him jailed for years, Russian state investigators said on Thursday.
Moscow announced it November it had captured James Anderson, describing him as a former British soldier. Britain's foreign minister, David Lammy, said at the time he was aware of the case and that London would do all it could to offer him assistance.
Russia's Investigative Committee released video on Thursday showing a handcuffed Anderson dressed in a prison uniform with a shaven head, being brought into a room for questioning and confirming his name.
In a statement, it said he would face terrorism and mercenary charges for participating "in an armed conflict as a mercenary on the territory of the Russian Federation for financial remuneration". It did not say how Anderson pleaded to the charges, some of which are punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
Ukrainian forces have occupied a pocket of territory in Russia's Kursk region since launching a surprise incursion there in August last year. Russia has recaptured around two thirds of the territory so far and is battling for the rest.
The Investigative Committee, which is responsible for investigating major crimes, said Anderson had illegally crossed the Russian border from Ukraine in November.
While "armed with automatic small arms and explosive devices" he had intimidated the local population, caused significant property damage, destabilised the local authorities and committed unspecified criminal acts against the civilian population.
The investigators said they had gathered what they called "irrefutable evidence" of his guilt and that his case would be heard by a military court.
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Peter Graff)
The article discusses a British man facing terrorism and mercenary charges in Russia after being captured in the Kursk region.
He is charged with terrorism and being a mercenary for participating in the conflict in Russia's Kursk region.
The UK government is aware of the case and has stated it will offer assistance to James Anderson.
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