A Queen’s Guard has been arrested after travelling to Ukraine to fight with pro-Russian rebels. The UK Ministry of Defence said David Lawrence, who joined the guard in September last year and was based at Buckingham Palace, had been detained by Ukrainian authorities on suspicion of treason.
The “royal guard” is a group of soldiers that protect the British royal family. They were arrested after travelling to fight in Ukraine.
For concerns of safety, the identity of the adolescent has been concealed. (Photos courtesy of PA/Getty)
A young Queen’s Guard soldier who went to battle in Ukraine has’realized his mistake.’
According to reports, the 19-year-old traveled back to London from the warzone on Thursday.
However, he may now face prison time for violating Ministry of Defence (MoD) regulations.
The soldier, from the north of England, was alleged to be ‘bored’ with his regiment’s ceremonial function.
He went AWOL and traveled to Ukraine through Poland’s Krakow.
The Ministry of Defense is thought to be pleased that the adolescent has returned home.
‘The Guardsman appears to have recognized the folly of his ways when he was in Ukraine, and everyone is extremely pleased about that,’ a military insider told the Sun on Sunday.
The Coldstream Guards is the British Army’s oldest unit (AFP/Getty Images). )
‘Out there, folks begged him to do the right thing and return home.’
‘ He finally realized how much difficulty he was in, and he has come to his senses.
‘He contacted his chain of command, who informed him that he needed to return.’
‘He knew he was in danger, but he was also advised that the longer he remained out there, the worse it would become.’
The Ministry of Defense initiated an urgent search for a 19-year-old Queen’s Guard (Picture: mtubbs1)
The 19-year-old is expected to face a court martial in the coming weeks.
When they met in Yavoriv, Ukraine’s Lviv area, a British ex-serviceman chatted with the adolescent.
‘The Coldstream Guard was extremely forthright about the fact that he was still serving,’ he told The Sun on Sunday.
‘He stated he had spent six months in the Falklands but was bored in the UK and wanted to see some action and put his skills to use.’
See also: Russia
‘At first, he had no intention of returning to the UK, but individuals advised him to do so and warned him that he would be in big danger if he did not.
‘He had informed the Ukrainians at the base that he had combat experience, since they divide the volunteers between those who have and those who do not.
‘Myself and other British people advised him to return, therefore he has clearly heeded our advice.’
Before reserving a one-way ticket to Poland, the 19-year-old apparently sent a farewell letter to his parents.
Serving military troops were advised to remain at home. (Image courtesy of Christopher Kingswood)
The 19-year-old had traveled to Lviv, which was under siege (Credits: AP)
His flight sparked widespread alarm, with security officials scrambling to apprehend the adolescent, fearful that Vladimir Putin would declare Britain had formally joined the war.
‘Until further notice, all service members are barred from traveling to Ukraine,’ the Ministry of Defense has previously said.
‘This is true whether or not the service member is on leave.
‘Personnel who go to Ukraine will be subject to disciplinary and administrative action.’
Send an email to [email protected] to reach out to our news staff.
Check out our news page for more articles like this.
MORE: Boris compares Ukraine’s battle for independence to the UK’s Brexit vote
