Briton who fought in Ukraine jailed for 13 years by Russia

A Briton who fought in Ukraine has been sentenced to 13 years in a maximum security prison, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office said.

Hayden Davies, a former British soldier whom Russia calls a mercenary, was reportedly captured in Ukraine’s Donbas region in late 2024 or early 2025 while serving with the country’s foreign legion.

He was tried in a Russian-controlled court in the city of Donetsk, currently occupied by Moscow.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been contacted for comment. It had previously been stated that the accusations against Mr Davies and another Briton captured in Ukraine were “false” and that the pair were prisoners of war.

The FCDO condemned the detention of both Mr Davies and James Anderson.

“They are not mercenaries,” it was said earlier this year. “They are prisoners of war.

“Ukraine has confirmed that both of them are members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They must be provided with all the rights and protections granted to prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions,” the statement added.

Russian prosecutors said in a statement that Mr Davies joined the Ukrainian army in August 2024 and “took part in military operations against Russian armed forces on Russian territory”. [Donetsk Region]”.

In court records released by prosecutors, a man with a British accent is seen speaking through a translator inside a barred cage; this is standard practice in many Russian trials.

The man said that he was a member of the foreign legion of the Ukrainian Army and went to Ukraine by bus via Poland.

He said he was paid $400 (£300) or $500 a month in salary. When asked if he admitted the accusation, the man said “yes” and nodded.

It is not clear whether he spoke under pressure.

Mr Anderson was sentenced to 19 years in prison in March After being accused of terrorism and mercenary activities.

The 22-year-old was the first British citizen to be convicted by Russia during the war.