Ex-Tory MP Jack Lopresti joins Ukraine army to help warfare effort

A Tory MP who misplaced his Westminster seat within the common election final yr is now serving within the Ukrainian army.

Jack Lopresti was the MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, in South Gloucestershire, till Labour’s Claire Hazelgrove secured victory in 2024.

Mr Lopresti, 55, stated on social media he was now volunteering for the Worldwide Legion of Ukraine, Defence Intelligence.

“It is an enormous honour and an immense privilege for me to serve within the Ukrainian army and be capable to assist the gallant and wonderful Ukrainian individuals in any method I can,” he stated.

Mr Lopresti beforehand served within the UK Military Reserve as a corporal, and stated he was specializing in charity work within the nation, supporting veterans, overseas relations and diplomacy and weapons procurement – in addition to army duties.

It will likely be three years since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his military to invade neighbouring Ukraine on 24 February.

Putin stated Russia was intervening as an act of self-defence. Russia didn’t wish to occupy Ukraine, he stated, however would demilitarise and “de-Nazify” the nation.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stated in December about 43,000 Ukrainian troopers had been killed because the invasion started.

He stated: “They don’t seem to be solely combating for his or her freedom and their proper to exist as a unbiased and sovereign nation, they’re additionally combating for all of us, in Europe and the remainder of the free world.

“If Putin wins in Ukraine everyone knows he will not cease there.

“Dictators need to be defeated, or they by no means cease. The ramifications would even be monumental for the remainder of the world, significantly in locations like Taiwan.

“With the authoritarian axis of dictatorships, China, Iran, and North Korea on the march and clearly working collectively, Ukraine needs to be supported and given the instruments to win for all of our sakes.”

In an announcement, Mr Lopresti stated he had joined a cross get together UK Parliamentary delegation final week which had visited rehab centres, charities and army leaders.