Former Conservative politician Jack Lopresti has joined the International Legion in Ukraine, taking on a non-combat role to support the Ukrainian military. Lopresti’s decision comes after his ousting from parliament in 2024.
Jack Lopresti, a former Conservative MP who represented the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency in South Gloucestershire from 2010 to 2024, has reportedly joined the International Legion in Ukraine in a non-combat role. This decision was made after his ousting in the 2024 election.
Jack Lopresti is a British Conservative politician.
He was born on September 19, 1967.
Lopresti served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Filton and Bradley Stoke from 2010 to 2019.
He previously held various roles in the UK's Ministry of Defence and was involved in several defense-related initiatives.
Lopresti is carrying out support work for the unit, including foreign relations and diplomacy duties, weapons procurement, and work with veterans and charities. He is based in Kyiv but constantly travels across Ukraine, having recently visited the cities of Kharkiv and Poltava in the country’s east.
Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland and Slovakia to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the south.
The country has a diverse geography, with mountains covering about 10% of its area, including the Carpathian Mountains.
Ukraine's climate ranges from temperate to continental, with cold winters and warm summers.
The Dnieper River is the longest river in Ukraine, stretching over 2,200 kilometers.
Lopresti, 55, a former deputy chair of the Conservative party, expressed his honor and privilege to serve in the Ukrainian military. He believes that the Ukrainian people are fighting not only for their freedom and sovereignty but also for the rest of the free world. Lopresti’s background includes serving in the Territorial Army as a gunner with 266 Commando Battery, Royal Artillery from 2007, and later serving as a mobilised reservist with 29 Commando RA for a year, being deployed in Helmand province in Afghanistan.
The ‘Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against British citizens fighting in Ukraine’ . According to their guidelines, activities amounting to offences under UK legislation may result in prosecution upon return to the UK. However, there are no recorded examples of Britons being prosecuted for fighting in Ukraine.
In October, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, signed a bill allowing foreign volunteers fighting in Ukraine’s International Legion to serve as officers. Prior to this legislation, volunteers could fight only as privates or sergeants.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician and former actor who has been the President of Ukraine since 2019.
Born on January 25, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, he rose to fame with his comedy TV show 'Servant of the People.' He won the presidential election in 2019 with over 73% of the votes.
Zelenskyy's presidency has been marked by efforts to reform Ukraine's government and economy, as well as his leadership during the 2022 Russian invasion.
- theguardian.com | Ex Tory MP reportedly joins Ukraine foreign legion in non combat role
