Russian state media has hailed the
British mercenaries fighting for the
Kremlin as “heroes”. President
Vladimir Putin ’s propaganda machine went into overdrive after the Mirror identified Ben Stimson, 48, and Aiden Minnis, 37, as the first Brits fighting with
Russia in
Ukraine . The pair, both former drug addicts and convicted criminals, were used to ramp up the information war. Some mocked the reaction to them in Britain, with
Moscow paper Komsomolskaya Pravda claiming they had “caused hysteria” here. In an online exchange with the Mirror , Stimson claimed he was to be interviewed by state-controlled RT and Sputnik, both banned in the
UK.
Russian state media has hailed the two Brits fighting for Putin as 'heroes' ( Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Stimson, of Oldham, Gtr Manchester , later bragged: “I’m a hero here and a minor celeb. Why would I come back?” Kremlin-owned Moscow newspaper Argumenty i fakty assured readers ordinary Brits do not believe they are traitors and “support the pro-Russian fighters”. Ben Stimson on Red Square, Moscow ( Image: INTERNET URL) On website antifake.cafe, our story was “Fake of the Day”. Political analyst Konstantin Strigunov said: “Information about British volunteers is presented in a negative context and this plants the idea only unsavoury individuals can be supporters of Russia. It’s a classic manipulative propaganda technique.” And Liza Gerson, formerly of state-controlled NTV, challenged use of the term “traitors”, saying: “Did
Britain declare war on Russia? Who did they betray? King Charles’ crown?” Last night, Kremlin-linked Telegram channel Readovka released an interview with Stimson in which he claims Britain is “a fascist country”, adding: “I love Russia. I wanted citizenship or asylum but it doesn’t look very promising.” Russian
MILITARY expert Bruce Jones said their case is unusual as details of outsider fighters are usually kept under wraps. He said: “Most foreigners fighting for Putin stand to be prosecuted in their own countries.”