Why this dad is jetting off to join the fight in Ukraine

By Jonathan Coles via SWNS

An ex-soldier British dad says he is jetting off to fight in Ukraine because he "is not doing much with life."

Harvey Hunt, 50, is booked to fly from Bristol to Rzeszów, Poland tomorrow in March 4, where he will then try and link up with fellow fighters.

He says he has been told to head to the border via the E40 - a pan-European road - and present himself as a former serviceman.

Harvey Hunt at his home in Minehead, Somerset. (Adam Hughes via SWNS)

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Harvey, who says he served in the Royal Artillery as a gunner, will then make his way to a gas station in the Ukrainian town of Novoiavorivsk, which is on the road to Lviv.

He says was told there will be a regular shuttle of buses or cars there that would pick him up and take him towards the fighting.

Ex-lorry driver Harvey, from Minehead, England, said: "I've got military training, I'm not doing much with my life - I want to help.

"I'm sitting watching the news, and I'm thinking 'I can get off my a** and help them'. I can hold a gun and shoot it.

"I think [the situation] is disgusting. I think Russia should b***** off and leave all the kids and women."

Mixed messages have come from the government so far over Brits who want to go and fight.

Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, previously said she backs anyone who wants to travel east and take up arms.

But Ben Wallace, the defense secretary, has since countered and declared only those with combat experience should go.

Dad-of-two Harvey, who says he signed up to the Army nearly 34 years ago and served for more than three years but didn't see fighting, is unequivocal about going.

But he is appealing for help once he gets to Ukraine, as he is not entirely sure where he needs to go - or where to get a weapon from.

His wife, Georgia Hunt, 29, said she backs his plans as he is doing it for the right reasons - but she is still worried.

The charity shop volunteer said: "It's scary but I understand why he wants to go, and every part of me supports him in that.

"All the kids and women and people that are dying - it's quite upsetting. If he can help in some sort of way, I would support him."

No10 said earlier this week that the travel advice remains to not travel to Ukraine, according to reports.

But a number of Brits - both veterans and volunteers without military training - have already pledged to help take on Russia.