A former Tory MP who lost his seat at the general election last year has joined the Ukrainian International Legion to help in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Jack Lopresti, a former deputy chair of the Conservative Party, was previously the MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke in Gloucestershire, but is now based in Kyiv using his skills in the continuing war.
While serving as MP, Lopresti visited Ukraine and strongly advocated for more aid to be allocated to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts to counter the Russian invasion.
Having also served as a corporal in the UK Army Reserve, his decision to engage directly with the conflict came after he lost his seat during the Tory wipeout across the UK in July.
Subsequent to this political setback, he traveled to Ukraine to assist with charitable efforts, disclosing to The Independent his initial intention was to join the International Legion. “I did apply to join the legion in November. It took a mientras to find the best unit to utilize my experience and skills,” he stated.
The 55-year-old is not on the frontline but is focused on support roles, including foreign relations and weapons procurement, alongside collaboration with veterans and humanitarian charities operating within Ukraine.
“I’m based in Kyiv, but I constantly travel across Ukraine,” Lopresti remarked, noting his recent visits to the cities of Kharkiv and Poltava. He expressed his heartfelt commitment, saying, “It is a huge honor and immense privilege for me to serve in the Ukrainian military and be able to help the gallant and amazing Ukrainian people in any way I can.
“They are not only fighting for their freedom and their right to exist as an independent and sovereign nation, they are also fighting for all of us, in Europe and the rest of the free world. If Putin wins in Ukraine, we all know he won’t stop there. Dictators have to be defeated, or they never stop.”
Lopresti remarked on the tenacity of the Ukrainian spirit, stating, “They are very determined. Morale is high. A very resolute feeling,” reflecting the resolve among Ukrainians almost three years after Putin first launched the invasion on February 24, 2022.
The political scene remains dynamic with discussions about potential negotiations to end the conflict, particularly with figures like Donald Trump hinting at interventions. Lopresti noted, “I think we are all waiting with interest [to see] what the US administration will present, optimistically.”
Legally, the Foreign Office has warned about the implicity of joining the Ukrainian International Legion, hinting at possible illegality, particularly for non-combat volunteers. Despite this, no significant enforcement actions have been taken against the influx of British volunteers heading to the frontline.
Yet, the risks are palpable as the fate of fellow British volunteers has at times turned grim, with reports of deaths and captivity. Just as Lopresti made his way to Ukraine, another volunteer, James Scott Rhys Anderson, was captured, highlighting the dangers volunteers face amid the conflict.