An help employee has mentioned he'll proceed his life-saving work in Ukraine regardless of showing on a listing of supposed British mercenaries.
Harley Whitehead’s identify seems alongside 100 others on the doc which has been shared on a pro-Russia Telegram channel.
Harley, 32, informed Metro.co.uk he has supported the Ukrainian navy and Western contractors however solely in a civilian capability.
He mentioned he was ‘stunned however not stunned’ to see his identify on the listing, which purportedly exhibits British combatants combating for Ukrainian forces, and had no thought how or why it was included.
Nonetheless the volunteer mentioned his work by way of the EastLancs4Ukraine group has concerned supporting Ukrainian troops and personal Western operators, primarily by way of the availability of medical package.
His identify seems on the listing of 99 males and one girl mentioned by the channel to be a part of the ‘Worldwide Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine’.
Harley informed Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s a little bit of a mad one. I’m stunned but additionally in a means I’m not stunned.
‘A number of issues do match into place now, as a result of I've been pulled by Particular Department a few occasions after I’ve been getting back from Ukraine.
‘I've labored with the navy however not in a logistical function, I’ve been there as a civilian. We've been concerned in supplying medical gear to the navy and serving to to evacuate folks, which has included working with non-public Western contractors.
‘I do know folks from the Worldwide Legion, the Georgian Legion and the Azov Brigade, however then I do know lots of people in Ukraine anyway from years of travelling across the nation.
‘This listing seems to be pro-Russian propaganda and it’s precisely what you'll anticipate from them. My girlfriend is initially from Donetsk and we all know to not belief their model of the world.’
The Telegram channel, which helps Vladimir Putin, steered that the listing was obtained by way of the workplaces of the governor of the southern Mykolaiv area, Vitaly Kim. It has not been verified.
Harley, from Blackburn, Lancashire, mentioned showing on the doc, which supplies names, dates of beginning and ID numbers for these listed, wouldn't cease his reduction work. He divides his time between Ukraine and the UK and for the reason that invasion started 9 weeks in the past has clocked up hundreds of highway miles delivering important provides on spherical journeys to the warfare zone.
The photographer arrived dwelling two days in the past from his newest journey, which concerned delivering 14 armoured ambulances from throughout the border in Medyka, south-eastern Poland.
His work alongside his buddy, Steven Dickinson, has meant he has witnessed the aftermath of the horrors inflicted on civilians in locations together with Bucha, which has develop into synonymous with the atrocities allegedly carried out by Russian forces and their proxies.
The reduction employee was within the city, north of Kyiv, the day after Moscow’s troops withdrew following fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces throughout a stalled try to seize the capital.
‘It was horrific,’ Harley mentioned. ‘There have been our bodies in all places they usually had left mines and booby traps.
‘That they had actually massacred and murdered everybody in sight. Earlier than the warfare I had nothing in opposition to Russia and I used to be as a consequence of go there to work subsequent 12 months, I used to be trying ahead it.
‘However after what I’ve seen and now I’ve appeared on the listing I’m not going to go. There are a number of extra armoured ambulances to go so we'll consider that, however we're simply the tip of the iceberg of the help that's wanted in Ukraine.’
The listing doesn't embrace Scott Sibley, who was named yesterday as the primary British nationwide killed combating in Ukraine. One other UK citizen who has not been recognized stays lacking, the International workplace mentioned.
The doc additionally makes no point out of British nationals Aiden Aislin and Shaun Pinner, who had been paraded on Russian TV earlier this month after being captured within the southern metropolis of Mariupol.
Harley is because of resume his work in Medyka, a serious gateway for refugees fleeing Ukraine, in coming days. He has made extra 30 journeys by highway since February 24, along with his group having a base at a village in western Ukraine.
The hazards had been additional underlined as we speak with two British help employees reported to have been captured by Russian forces in southern Ukraine.
‘It’s robust work on the help aspect and I'd not need anybody to place themselves within the firing line,’ Harley mentioned.
‘For those who spend too lengthy on the market you'll get burnt out.
‘You do get guys going over there who're dreamers they usually develop into a danger to themselves and a drain on the British authorities. I'd ask anybody to assume lengthy and arduous earlier than they make the journey.’
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