A British man fighting alongside Vladimir Putin's Russian forces in Ukraine has insisted he is "not a traitor" in a candid interview. Ben Stimson, 50, a former antiques dealer from Oldham, took up arms for Russia in 2024, after previously serving a prison sentence for a terror offence linked to fighting for pro-Moscow militia in Donbas in 2014.
Stimson's Justification
Speaking to Sky News, Stimson said he felt an "affinity" towards the "ethnic Russian people" of Donbas and wanted to defend them. He stated: "I'm not a traitor to the British people, maybe to the British Government I'm a traitor." He argued that without a formal declaration of war between the UK and Russia, he could not be considered a traitor and claimed he still had "a lot of friends" in Britain.
Role in Russian Military
Stimson signed a contract with the Russian military in 2024 and served for over a year, initially as an engineer and later as an instructor for English-speaking recruits. He described his role as "third line", not front line, and asserted: "I could guarantee you I've killed nobody." When asked about other Britons in the Russian military, he said there were "more than you think".
Legal Consequences
Having been granted Russian citizenship this year, Stimson would likely face arrest if he returned to the UK. The UK government warns that joining the Russian army could lead to prosecution upon return. His relatives have cut all contact with him, a consequence he said he accepted as a "principled man".
