BRAVE Yesterday, British troops joined Ukrainian troops in trenches reminiscent of World War One, with one local veteran digging in with a Soviet-made World War Two machine gun.
Since the invasion, up to 400 British fighters, many of them ex-servicemen but some with little or no military experience, have travelled to Ukraine.
On the outskirts of Kyiv, they wait with locals for Vladimir Putin’s war machine to arrive.
“I’m here to defend a place that has welcomed me,” a 22-year-old named Niall told The Sun.
“This feels like home.” I had intended to relocate here. I’m ready to fight, and I’m willing to die if necessary.”
“This is everyone’s fight,” said Rob, a 61-year-old grandfather from Scotland. Putin is not going to stop here.
“If they come to the city, we make it the most difficult and difficult life they’ve ever had.”
“They may enter the city, but they will never occupy it.” They’re like Lord of the Rings Orcs attempting to infiltrate Middle Earth.”
Metal tank traps known as Hedgehogs litter once-bustling main roads, tyre and sandbag blockades are common, and cases of Molotov cocktails have been prepared for battle.
“We’ve been here for two weeks,” one Ukrainian soldier said. We wait for the Russians.”
The trenches that zigzag around the outskirts of the capital are now fortified with British Javelin surface-to-air missiles.
In one, a 1943 DP-28 Degtyaryov machine gun is ready for action once more.
“I am almost 57 years old and was at war in the Donbas in 2014.” said Ronnie, a Ukrainian.
“When the enemy came to my land, I took up my weapon once more, and I had to be here to fight them.” They were built to last. It’s a fantastic weapon.
“Winston Churchill once said, ‘The fascists of tomorrow will call themselves anti-fascists.’ As we can see, he was on the side of the Russians.
“Winston Churchill once said, ‘The fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascists’. As we see, he was right with the Russians. “They kill civilians, they shoot hospitals, they shoot houses. What is it if not fascism?”
