Ukraine demands Starmer to 'give us British troops' to fight off Putin

Britain should send troops to Ukraine to level the playing field with the foreign fighters being used by Russia, a frontline Ukrainian lieutenant colonel has claimed.

Speaking to the Express from his secret command post in the Kharkiv region, Lt Col Roman Myrnyi of the expressed his frustration that his enemy has been following a different set of rules.

Myrnyi said the presence of Chinese and North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia clearly crossed a line.

"This is the involvement of the army of a foreign state," he told the Express.

"In my opinion, we have the right to parity in this matter. If North Koreans and Chinese are fighting with Russians, why can't we have British or French troops?

"It is nonsense that the only foreign fighters we have are people who are volunteers, who came and signed a contract with us."

So far, British involvement in the conflict has been by providing weapons and training for the Ukrainian military.

Even this limited role has prompted some angry responses from the Kremlin. In November 2024, the Russian ambassador to the UK claimed Britain had become "directly involved" war after were fired into .

However, Myrnyi believes the escalating tensions with Vladimir Putin's regime and the West would make battlefield experience even more necessary.

"It would be very useful for European countries to gain combat experience for their troops," he continued.

"We would be glad to have them and, in my subjective opinion, it would send a powerful message.

"I think it's worth pointing out that we are the country that was attacked and that's why we need help."

Myrnyi said it was his understanding that Russia was potentially roping in other nations.

"I know for sure that we captured foreign fighters from African nations, although I'm not exactly sure of the country.

"I know, at the official level, we have confirmed by North Korea and Chinese fighters."

However, defence analyst and strategic consultant, Nicolas Drummond, strongly disagrees with the idea of sending British troops to Ukraine.

"Once you have British troops, it becomes a World War," he told the Express, "Once we're actively involved or seen to be involved, we become a legitimate target at home. So cyber [and] hospitals [could be hit].

"The power blackout in [that caused havoc in] Spain, Russia could start doing things like that."