British soldiers fighting against the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been branded “total pillocks” by Benjamin Butterworth.
An unspecified number of Brits with and without military experience travelled out to Ukraine to help protect the country from Vladimir Putin’s army, despite calls from the UK Government not to.
And senior reporter at the I Newspaper, Mr Butterworth has hit out at their decision to go.
Speaking on GB News’ Dan Wooton Tonight, he said: “The Brits that went out there are just total pillocks, can you imagine anything so thick?
Benjamin Butterworth
GB News
“The Government has been clear, they are committing a criminal offence by going over there, the defence secretary and the home secretary have been clear about that.
“And the reason the Russians are parading them on their television is because they want an excuse to push this further is because they want to push this further."
He continued to tell stand-in host Patrick Christys: “That’s why NATO countries haven’t done anything like putting troops on the ground.
“So they’re not just idiots, but they’re putting everyone else in danger.”
Shaun Pinner
RUSSIAN STATE TV CHANNEL ROSSYIA
His comments come after two British soldiers were captured and paraded on Russian state TV.
Shaun Pinner, 48, appeared on Rossiya 24 state channel on Monday appearing to ask Prime Minister Boris Johnson for himself and fellow Brit Aiden Aslin to be swapped for pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who is being held by Ukrainian authorities.
“Hi Mr Boris Johnson,” says the 48-year-old former Royal Anglian soldier, who appears tired in the video.
“I understand that Mr Medvedchuk has been detained and we look to exchange myself and Aiden Aslin for Mr Medvedchuk.
“Obviously I’d really appreciate your help in this matter and pushing this agenda.”
He also says he has been “treated well” and “fed, watered”.
In a separate clip, Mr Aslin, 28, is seen saying: “If Boris Johnson really does care like he says he does about British citizens then he would help pressure (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy to do the right thing and return Viktor to his family and return us to our families.”