21 April 2024 , 06:31
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Pledging allegiance to Putin, Aiden Minnis, 37, posted a video on social media declaring his delight on becoming a Russian citizen. The convicted criminal from Chippenham has been fighting against Ukrainian forces
One of two British thugs fighting as mercenaries for Vladimir Putin in Ukraine claims he has been given Russian citizenship. Aiden Minnis, 37, posted a photo on Facebook holding a Russian passport, commenting: “I’m officially Russian”, with emojis of a Russian flag, a strong arm, and a red heart.
He later posted another video on social media to rant about his love for Russia – and hatred for the UK. Minnis is one of two Brits, both former drug addicts and criminals, who our sister paper the Daily Mirror revealed last month were fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas region. Both could be jailed if they return home.
But yesterday Minnis boasted: “I have a Russian passport. I’m now Russian… I’m safe from prosecution from the UK, safe from false and bogus charges just because I want to come and fight for a just cause.
“And of course I’m happy to be Russian. I reiterate that I condemn my country of origin, I hate it for what they’ve done to the people of Donbas and to Russia. I’m on my vacation. After my vacation, I go to a storm battalion so things are only going to get tougher for me. War is dangerous.”
Minnis is a sapper – combat engineer – laying landmines and explosives. He claims to be the only foreigner in his company. The former alcoholic has been disowned by his family in Chippenham, Wilts, and his history of violence includes racist attacks and beating up homeless people.
But he says he is prepared to die for Putin who he calls “the greatest politician on earth”. Minnis credits Kremlin-linked news channel Readovka with pulling strings to get him his passport.
Last month, he denounced the UK during an interview on Readovka – along with the other British yob in a Russian uniform, Ben Stimson, 48, from Oldham, Lancs.
Traitor Ben Stimson announced he had been granted political asylum in Russia on social media
Since then Stimson – jailed here in 2017 for committing terrorism acts after another stint fighting in Donbas – has claimed he has been allowed to stay in Russia. He posted on April 1: “Today I have political asylum. God bless Russia, I’m finally free.” In another post, he said: “I love Russia, all my friends are here.”