Army chiefs ban British soldiers from heading to war zone to fight for Ukraine 

British soldiers were yesterday banned from going to Ukraine to join the fight against Russia.

Hundreds of troops have expressed interest in answering a request from Kyiv for international volunteers. But commanders have told them not to sign up.

They cannot stop retired personnel from travelling to eastern Europe, but full-time and reserve troops have received a stern warning not to take part in the conflict.

A post on the Army’s internal messaging service read: ‘There has been some recent media coverage relating to foreigners being welcomed into Ukraine to help fight against Russia. 

'To be clear, as members of the British Army, you are not authorised to travel to Ukraine to support the ongoing conflict against Russia in any form, whether you are on leave or not.

‘Please remain professional and focused on your duty and your team.’

The presence of any serving British troops in Ukraine could significantly escalate the crisis because the UK, as a Nato member, must abide by the alliance’s commitment not to send soldiers to the war-torn country. 

However, the Daily Mail has learned that as many as 200 former UK personnel could be travelling to Ukraine this week.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yesterday urged only ‘properly trained’ UK nationals to join the cause. He told Britons without combat experience not to ‘put yourselves in harm’s way’.

His warning came 24 hours after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss welcomed those joining the ‘struggle’.

Mr Wallace insisted: ‘Unless you are properly trained, unless you are an experienced member of the armed forces, there are better ways for you to contribute to the security of Ukraine.’

Downing Street also effectively contradicted Miss Truss yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘The best way we can help Ukraine right now is by ensuring Putin fails. 

There are a number of ways Brits can show their support for that, and the Ukrainian embassy in London is putting out information about how the British can support them.

‘We fully recognise the strength of feeling about British people wanting to support the Ukrainians following the Russian invasion. 

'There’s advice up on travelling to Ukraine, we currently advise against travel to Ukraine.’

At the Ukrainian embassy in London yesterday, one 60-year-old English ex-soldier, who did not give his name, vowed to join the fight. 

He told Sky News: ‘I used to be in the TA so I’ve got a lot of first aid training so I thought it would be a good idea to come and do something. I can get on a flight tomorrow.

‘I’m 60 which means I’m just about within the age range they’ll accept.’

Asked if he would put his life on the line, he said: ‘Well somebody has to.’

On Sunday Ukraine’s president Volodomyr Zelensky said he was forming his country’s own foreign legion to fight Russia.

Several thousand people have volunteered to join the force, deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said yesterday.

Military surplus stores have been overrun with Ukrainian expats sourcing gear for recruits heading to join the fight. 

Folkestone has become a rallying point and the Kent town’s G4 Echelon supply store has seen scores of volunteers buying up combat uniforms, first aid kits, flak jackets and helmets.  

Britain's Lads Army 'willing to die' in fight with Putin: Ex-carer who battled ISIS, father-of-seven who has never seen action and ex-soldier with Ukrainian wife line up to battle Russia - as No 10 says DON'T go to war

By Chris Matthews for MailOnline

Dozens of former Army and Special Forces soldiers from Britain and amateurs who have never seen action before have volunteered to fight Putin's invading troops and say they're willing to die for the cause.  

Shaun Pinner, 48, an ex-soldier with a Ukrainian wife who is already on the front lines, and Antony Zamparelli, a father-of-seven who served in the Army but has never been in a conflict, are among those from the UK to have said they will fight.

Others include Aiden Aslin, 28, an ex-carer who previously fought ISIS in Syria, as well as a team of 60 British former Army and Special Forces soldiers that have been gathered by Mamuka Mamulashvili, 43, commander of the Georgian National Legion. 

It comes as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and a No 10 spokesman both appeared to contradict Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who yesterday gave her backing to Britons who wanted to join the resistance movement. 

Speaking this morning, Mr Wallace said he didn't 'want to see British people killed any more than I want to see Ukrainians' and asked people who were not properly trained or an 'experienced member of an armed forced' not to join the war in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was 'very dangerous', Mr Wallace told Sky News, and there were 'better ways' to support the country.  

Asked if the Prime Minister supported her remarks, a No 10 spokesman said today the travel advice was not to go to Ukraine. 

He added: 'We think the best way of helping now is ensuring Putin fails.' 

Friends and families of the Brits going to war told MailOnline of their worries for them being on the frontlines in Ukraine.

Mr Pinner's sister Cassandra, who is a nurse in Bedfordshire, said: 'He's fighting as we speak, although I probably shouldn't disclose where'.

'He's going in now, [I] sent a final message just in case.'

She said the rest of her brother's team would be joining him on Thursday. 

This week they are frantically searching for chest seals to treat battle wounds before they head to Ukraine, she added. 

A friend of Mr Aslin, Kattia Beckinsale-Yates, told MailOnline: 'I messaged the other day but haven't heard anything back.' 

She added she was 'hoping and praying he's safe'.