‘I stand by my beliefs that what I’ve finished is the suitable factor to do,’ the 50-year-old from Oldham claimed.
Briton Ben Stimson, 50, has spoken to the British media for the primary time (Picture: Sky Information)
A 50-year-old antiques vendor from Oldham who fought for Vladimir Putin in Ukraine has insisted he’s “not a traitor”. Ben Stimson spent greater than a 12 months within the Russian navy after signing a contract in 2024 and admitted Russia, and its battle, is value extra to him than his now estranged household again house.
The Briton mentioned: “I’ve not seen any declaration of battle from both facet, so I’m not a traitor. Britain is the land of my start, I’m not a traitor. I’ve nonetheless acquired a variety of mates in Britain, I nonetheless acquired household in Britain.”
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“I’m not a traitor to the British folks,” Mr Stimson added, whereas additionally conceding “perhaps to the British Authorities I’m a traitor”.
Mr Stimson made the feedback to Sky Information’ Moscow Correspondent Ivor Bennett in his first interview with the British media.
He mentioned he believes Russia’s battle in Ukraine is “proper” however that “historical past will inform”.
However the Briton didn’t name Russia’s full-scale invasion a ‘battle’, as an alternative repeating Kremlin propaganda by describing it as “the particular navy operation”.
The battle, which started when Russia invaded in February 2022, is the largest battle in Europe for the reason that Second World Struggle and each side have suffered big losses. Mr Stimson mentioned he firstly served as an engineer earlier than turning into an teacher for different English-speaking recruits.
When requested by Sky Information if he fired any weapons, he mentioned: “I can assure you I’ve killed no one.”
The Briton additionally mentioned he was “extra the third line” and didn’t see the frontline.
He beforehand spent 4 months with pro-Moscow militia within the Donbas, jap Ukraine, in 2015 previous to the outbreak of the full-scale battle. Upon returning to Britain again then, he was convicted of a terror offence and jailed for greater than 5 years, Sky reported.
He informed the broadcaster he was “defending the folks of the Donbas, the ethnic Russian folks, for his or her identification, their language” earlier than happening to accuse the West of interference.
When requested how he ended up travelling from Oldham to the Donbas and why it was so vital to him, he mentioned he was “from a working class background” and that Donbas through the Miners’ Strike supported the working class miners of the north of England.
Ben Stimson spent greater than a 12 months in Russia’s navy (Picture: Ben Stimson/east2west information)
Sky shared a selfie video recorded by Mr Stimson by which he says Donetsk — in Ukraine’s Donbas area — is his “favorite metropolis in Russia”.
Mr Stimson was in a position to acquire Russian citizenship earlier this 12 months following his service in Moscow’s armed forces. He’s mentioned to be considered in Russia as a hero however having moved to the nation, his household within the UK lower ties with him and Mr Stimson claimed they’re now topic to dying threats.
The Briton mentioned he should “settle for my selections” however admitted he want to converse to his father once more, though there’s “nothing” he can do.
When requested whether or not Russia and its battle in Ukraine is value extra to him than household, Mr Stimson responded: “As a principled man, sure.”
He refused to reply what number of Britons are combating for Russia however mentioned it’s greater than folks would count on. Mr Stimson would seemingly face arrest if he was to ever return to the UK.
The Authorities warns anybody who travels to Russia to hitch its navy or assist others engaged within the battle with Ukraine “could possibly be breaking UK legal guidelines” and could possibly be prosecuted upon their return.
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