Former British minister of parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party Jack Lopresti has announced that he is joining the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine.
On X, he wrote:
“I am honored to begin my service with the 12th Special Forces Brigade ‘Azov’ of the National Guard of Ukraine, a unit that has become a symbol of resilience and uncompromising principle.”
Lopresti previously served as an active member of the British Parliament’s Defence Committee and was a consistent supporter of providing military assistance to Ukraine.
It has not been specified what role Lopresti will perform within “Azov.”
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Lopresti has been vocal in his support for Ukrainian independence and sovereignty, repeatedly calling on the UK political leadership to take more decisive steps in assisting Kyiv. He visited Ukraine several times after the launch of the full-scale invasion.
After losing his seat in the 2024 UK general election, Lopresti, a former Afghanistan veteran, signed up with Ukraine’s International Legion in early 2025.
In an interview with Kyiv Post in July 2025, Lopresti said he first visited Ukraine on the invasion’s first anniversary as part of a parliamentary delegation.
While he said he understood “how vitally important it was for Ukraine to maintain its independence and its freedom and its status as a sovereign nation,” he was particularly struck by “the spirit of the Ukrainian people who were prepared to fight in very, very difficult circumstances alone to try and keep their country independent and free.”
After returning to London, he became closely involved in Ukraine-related work, forming an all-party parliamentary group on sovereign defense manufacturing and contributing to debates on military support.
Anticipating a difficult re-election battle, Lopresti told Kyiv Post that he decided in advance that if he lost his seat, “I would come to Ukraine.” Despite warnings from relatives – “family and friends said, it’s a war, it’s dangerous” – he acknowledged “they all understood why I wanted to come and help.”
Following the election, Lopresti volunteered online for Ukraine’s International Legion, outlining his limited prior military experience as a reservist. He said he received responses offering potential frontline or training roles.
However, after discussions with Ukrainian officials, he was asked instead to focus on areas where his political and defense background could be most effective.
“I mean, I wanted to be a soldier and ultimately I am,” he said.
He served with Defense Intelligence, where his work at that stage centered on “international relations, diplomacy, procurement, and veterans.”
Lopresti said he supported visiting delegations and trade missions, contributed to defense procurement efforts, and worked on veterans’ welfare initiatives – an area close to him as a former party spokesman for veterans and a patron of a UK charity operating a rehabilitation center in the Carpathians.
“I feel I absolutely made the right decision,” he told Kyiv Post.
“I feel very privileged that I’m able to help whatever I can do to help the cause and help Ukraine win,” he said, adding that he did not engage in Ukrainian domestic politics.