Main points
- Jack Lopresti, a former member of the British Parliament, has joined the 12th Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, as he announced on the social network X.
- Lopresti previously led the Conservative Friends of Ukraine group and actively supported military aid to Ukraine, and also has experience serving in the Royal Artillery and private security.
Jack Lopresti joined Azov / Jack Lopresti / X
British politician Jack Lopresti has joined the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine. He has been a long-time supporter of Ukraine, and has served in the International Legion since July 2025.
He announced his decision personally on February 19 on the X social network. The Briton's decision was also confirmed by the unit's press service.
What is known about the Briton's entry into Azov?
56-year-old former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party of Great Britain Jack Lopresti has joined the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine.
It is a great honor for me to begin serving in the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine, a unit that has become a symbol of resilience and uncompromising principles,
– said Lopresti.
The brigade said that he previously headed the Conservative Friends of Ukraine parliamentary group and actively advocated for increased military support for Ukraine. In particular, the politician interacted with the UK Ministry of Defense procurement hub in Abbey Wood.
After losing the July 2025 election, Lopresti arrived in Ukraine in November and joined the International Legion as an intelligence officer. The Independent previously reported that he was not in a front-line infantry unit but rather in a support role. His duties included foreign relations and diplomacy, arms procurement, and working with veterans and charities working in Ukraine.
In 2010, Lopresti served as a reservist in the Royal Artillery and worked in private security. He also spent five months on a rotation in southern Afghanistan, Azov said.
What is known about other foreigners in the Ukrainian army?
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Former US Marine sniper, veteran and volunteer of the International Legion at the Ministry of Defense, Matthew Sampson, told how he joined the military. He emphasized that before the full-scale invasion, he had not even heard of Ukraine.
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In May 2025, 26-year-old New Zealand volunteer Shan Le Cairns died in the war in Ukraine while helping to rescue the wounded. Shan became the fourth New Zealander to die fighting for Ukraine; his body cannot be returned home.
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20-year-old Lithuanian volunteer Tomas Valentelis died in the battle for Ukraine's independence on March 13 in the Kupyansk direction, his first battle. The soldier's body was recovered from the battlefield only on the night of April 8, before which he was considered missing.