19-year-old Queen’s Guard 'goes AWOL to fight Putin’s forces in Ukraine'

19-year-old Queen’s Guard 'goes AWOL to fight Putin’s forces in Ukraine'
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Luke Ridley

By Luke Ridley


Published: 09/03/2022

- 06:04

Updated: 09/03/2022

- 06:50

Until now only former soldiers and military personnel have gone to fight in Ukraine, this is reportedly the first known instance that an active serving member of the military has left for the frontline in Ukraine

A 19-year-old Coldstream Guardsman is said to have gone AWOL and left his post in Windsor Castle, protecting the Queen to fight Vladimir Putin's forces in Ukraine.

The missing Queen's Guard is reportedly one of four British soldiers suspected to have gone missing to fight in Ukraine.


The identity of the 19-year-old has been protected for security reasons. He is said to have left a note for his parents and family before he left to fight for the Ukrainian people.

High-ranking defence chiefs are trying to intercept and stop the missing soldiers over worries Putin could use their involvement in the war as motivation to attack the UK and its NATO allies.

Until now, only former soldiers and former military personnel have gone to fight in Ukraine, this is reportedly the first known instance an active serving member of the military has left for the frontline in Ukraine.

High-ranking officials in the MOD are worried more active serving troops including reservists have already left to fight in Ukraine but have not been reported yet.

Defence chiefs, the police and the Foreign Office were reportedly trying to reach the soldiers before they managed to join Ukraine’s Foreign Legion in Lviv, Western Ukraine.

A source close to the teenager told The Sun he left his base in Windsor, Berks, where he and colleagues guard the Queen at the nearby castle.

This comes as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invoked British war leader Sir Winston Churchill in an emotional address to MPs yesterday, vowing to fight invading Russian troops in the air, sea and on the streets.

In a speech to the House of Commons that was greeted before and after by standing ovations, Mr Zelenskyy repeated his call for a no-fly zone to be established by the West, begging for the UK to “make sure that our Ukrainian skies are safe”.

The historic address came shortly after Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced the UK will phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of the year as part of a ratcheting up of sanctions on Moscow for the attack, which was launched on February 24.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine.
House of Commons

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