Russia sentences British soldier to 19 years for fighting in Ukraine

James Scott Rhys Anderson, a 22-year-old British citizen, has been sentenced to 19 years in a Russian prison for participating in the conflict in Ukraine on the side of Ukrainian forces. Captured in November while fighting in the Kursk region, Anderson was charged with terrorism and mercenary activities, with the court determining he would serve the first five years in prison followed by 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony. The trial was conducted behind closed doors, and while Anderson pleaded guilty, his defense argued for leniency. This case marks Anderson as the first known foreign fighter sentenced within Russian territory, as Russia generally classifies such individuals as mercenaries, denying them prisoner-of-war protections. British authorities have pledged support for Anderson, although they have not publicly responded to the sentence. His family has expressed fears regarding his treatment in custody, particularly concerning allegations of torture against prisoners.