Brave Brit fighting in Ukraine feared four fellow UK fighters were dead after being separated from unit for 36 hours
AN ex-soldier fighting in Ukraine has told how he feared four of his fellow Brits had been killed in action - after he got separated from his unit for 36 hours amid heavy Russian bombing.
James Sutton, 34, from South Wales, travelled to Ukraine last week to fight as a volunteer against the Russians because he said he was "brought up to stand up to bullies".
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Brave James told The Sun how he got separated during heavy fighting on front lines outside the city and was forced to trek 36 hours through a forest with another fighter, avoiding Russian tanks and artillery to get back to Kyiv.
'I've been getting bombed to s**t'
James said there were four other Brits with him - but he feared they may have been killed until he learnt they were safe hours later.
Speaking from the front lines earlier today, James said: "It’s absolutely insane over here. I've spent the last few days on the front line outside of Kiev getting bombed to s**t.
"Myself and another got separated from our unit and had to hike for 36 hours through the forest to get back to Kiev trying to avoid Russian tanks and artillery.
"I couldn’t say how many casualties or dead. But a lot from both sides.
Hero fighters safe
"I was one of five Brits, for a good few hours I feared for them - I didn't know if they were still alive. Thankfully I have since learned they are safe.
"I’m back in Kiev to resupply before heading back to the front."
Despite the heavy bombing, James said the Ukrainians are holding their ground and even regaining control of areas.
"The battles have been intense using artillery, mortars and drones," he said.
"There are medics here trying to treat the wounded with paracetamol.
"But we are holding our ground and taking the fight to the Russians. We are regaining control of areas.
"Morale is still high and we will keep fighting."
Send supplies
James added that any supplies from the West are helpful - especially morphine and night vision equipment.
Before James embarked on his dangerous mission he told The Sun he wanted to stand up for the people of Ukraine.
James said he decided to go over to join the fight against Russia in Ukraine after Liz Truss's comments that she would back Brit fighters - and contacted the Ukraine embassy.
He purchased his combat gear and equipment online and entered Ukraine via the Polish border last week.
Standing up to bullies
He said: "I was brought up in a family where I was always raised to stand up to my bullies. And also if I saw someone else being bullied but wasn't capable of standing up to them that it was my responsibility to help out.
"I think that's pretty much the situation we have at the moment in the Ukraine. They are being bullied by Russia.
"I was watching the situation between Russia and Ukraine escalate but I just assumed an invasion would never happen.
"As soon as it did, I just felt an enormous passion towards the Ukrainian people who were just going about their normal every day life.
"War is upon them. It's not their choice. They don't want it and haven't done anything to provoke it.
"But it looks like it's not going to stop until they give up their freedoms to Russia or Putin.
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"I understand the Europeans have to treat the invasion with kid gloves because it's a powder keg situation so I understand they are going through the sanction route.
"Ok it's not our country but who's to say it's Ukraine today and might be the UK tomorrow.
"It's been well over 12 years since I served in the Army but I've still got the experience, I've got the knowledge and I've got the military training.
"I want to do my bit to help."
It comes as Ukraine warned Europe could be hit by a devastating radiation leak from the Chernobyl nuclear site after Russian troops cut off the electricity.
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Meanwhile US intelligence chiefs have warned Putin could unleash mini-nukes in a warning to Nato if his "clusterf**k" invasion continues.
And one of the world's most fearsome snipers has arrived in Ukraine to fight the Russians as a volunteer.
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