Teen Queen’s Guard arrested by military police after going AWOL to fight Russia
A TEENAGE Queen’s Guard has been arrested by military police after going AWOL to fight Russia.
The 19-year-old, who wanted to use his training with the elite regiment to help the besieged Ukranians, was immediately taken in for questioning after returning to Britain.
The Sun on Sunday understands the Coldstream Guard had contacted Army bosses while he was in Ukraine and agreed to return before jetting home from Poland
But he could now face a jail sentence for desertion after going to the warzone in direct defiance of Ministry of Defence orders not to travel to Ukraine.
Armed Forces chief, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, has publicly declared it was “unlawful” for service personnel to join the fight against Russia in the country.
And Top Brass fear rogue troops, including the Guardsman, posed a huge security risk in Ukraine as they could be used by Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin to claim Britain had entered the war.
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Ministry of Defence chiefs are now said to be “hugely relieved” that the teen — who touched down at London Stansted on Thursday — had “seen sense” and returned.
The Sun exclusively revealed this month that the youngster was one of four British soldiers who went AWOL to fight in Ukraine, after leaving his Windsor base.
A military source said: “The Guardsman seems to have seen the error of his ways while he was in Ukraine and everyone is hugely relieved about that.
“He was urged by people out there to do the right thing and head home.
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It then dawned on him how much trouble he was in and he has seen sense.
“He was in touch with his chain of command, who told him that he had to return.
“He knew he would be in trouble but was also told in no uncertain terms that it would be worse the longer he stayed out there.”
The Guardsman — who along with colleagues protected the Queen at Windsor Castle — was taken in for questioning by officers from the military police and is likely to face a court martial.
Yesterday, he was not being held in custody and is understood to have returned to see his relieved family in the North of England.
The youngster is thought to have travelled to the Ukraine via Krakow, Poland, after going absent.
He then crossed the border and continued to the HQ of the International Brigade in Yavoriv, western Ukraine — close to the country’s besieged second city, Lviv.
A British ex-serviceman who encountered the teenager at Yavoriv told The Sun on Sunday: “The Coldstream Guard was very open about the fact he was still serving.
“He said he had been to the Falklands for six months, but was bored in the UK and wanted to see some action and use his training.
“At first, he had no intention of returning to the UK but people told him he should and that he was in trouble as going AWOL is a serious offence.
“He had told the Ukranians at the base he had combat experience, as they separate the volunteers into those with and without experience.
“I don’t know if he told them he was leaving, but I think he had help from people over there to travel back over the Polish border.
'SERIOUS OFFENCE'
“Myself and other British people told him he should return, so in the end he has obviously listened.”
Sources said the young Guardsman was “bored” with the ceremonial role of his regiment and had been promised a tour of Afghanistan, which did not happen.
In a warning this month, Sir Tony Radakin said: “We’ve been very clear that it’s unlawful, as well as unhelpful, for UK military and for the UK population to start going towards Ukraine.”
It had been thought only former servicemen had travelled to Ukraine, until The Sun revealed the Guardsman was one of four serving personnel in the country.
Ex-Army chief General Lord Dannatt blasted the AWOL soldiers as “totally irresponsible”.
The other three AWOL troops are thought to still be in Ukraine.
Squaddies can face a dishonourable discharge, have their rank reduced and face a term in military prison for going AWOL.
In 2010, Lance Corporal Joe Glenton was jailed for nine months for going AWOL and fleeing to dodge a second tour of Afghanistan.
The soldier — who spoke at anti-war rallies after returning to the UK from Asia — was also demoted to the rank of Private at a court martial in Colchester, Essex.
The Coldstream Guards — motto “Nulli Secundus” or Second to None — are the oldest continuously serving regiment in the Army.
They specialise in light-role operations as well as providing protection to royal palaces.
The regiment fought the Russians in the Crimean War on the Crimea peninsula in Ukraine from 1853-56.
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A Brit aged 17 who said his only war experience was playing Call of Duty has gone to Ukraine.
A Navy veteran in Yavoriv told the Sun on Sunday the teen is among a number youngsters there “fired up” on video game fantasies.
Cronies ’£1bn aid'
BRITAIN sent £1billion in aid in 12 months to countries which refused to condemn Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Syria got £181million in 2020, Pakistan £199million and Moscow’s ally Belarus received £1.5million.
Some get ongoing support. Tory MP Johnny Mercer said it must “end”.
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