An ex-British Army medic from Nottinghamshire has claimed foreign fighters are being used as cannon fodder in Ukraine

He applied to join-up, contrary to the strongest advice of the UK government, through the Ukrainian Embassy in London, because, he said, he wanted to use his skills for good.

He also said that he went understanding that there was a likelihood that he would not return.

However, when he arrived, he was told that he could not serve as a combat medic because, unbeknown to him, the upper age limit for recruits had been lowered and he was too old.

He spent several days being moved from location to location with other new recruits, standing guard duty, known as stag, because he realised being outside and standing watch offered a greater chance of survival from Russian bombardment than the cellars of their billets should the Russian satellites or drones pinpoint their location, all of the time becoming completely disillusioned with what he was encountering.

He said it became evident that the foreigners were being used as cannon fodder while Ukrainians waited to be trained with the military hardware being despatched by the West. He also said that he saw many Ukrainian men in areas untouched by the war of military age out of uniform.

He added that in places where they were billeted while transiting they were made to feel very unwelcome, and even spat at by locals who feared their very presence would mean that Russian shells would seek them out.

He had yet to sign a contract to serve the Ukrainian military, which is binding until hostilities cease, and decided to return to the UK, persuading several others to come back with him.

"I went because I thought I could make a difference," he said.

"What I found was a number of kids with no combat experience.

"I bought my body armour, helmet, medical supplies and got on the plane.

"I had been sent all of the information as to where to go."

The Advertiser is not giving details of the route so as to deter others from making the trip.

"I was full of hope. I wanted to use my medical skills to help others," said the ex-British Army man who has also done private security work," he said.

"One way or another I was going to be of some use."

But what he found surprised and bewildered him.

""Ukrainian forces aren't always in the trenches. The volunteer battalion is and they're cannon fodder. It's world war one conditions and tactics," he said.

"Half of the foreigners are going out there with no combat experience and no thought about what it will be like. I found a PlayStation generation. It was like they thought they were playing Battlefield and when they were killed they'd just pop up somewhere else.

"When I got out there the people I met said 70% of the volunteer battalion had been lost and a friend who is still out there tells me that's now 80%.

"When you're out there you sign a contract and that contract states you are there until the end of the conflict. Remember the conflict started in 2014 and who knows when it will end.

"I could hear the shelling and had my first experience of shell shock — a young man just shaking uncontrollably and all I could do was keep repeating 'you're not there now mate'.

"In my mind it became 'what can I do for these people?'

"Some hadn't even read the contract. Didn't know they couldn't get out. They'd gone there thinking they were going to become Rambo, a hero, stop the raping, stop the murdering, but within weeks were crying on the floor.

"I told as many as I didn't think would make it, the scared or the inexperienced ones, to come back or be dead.

"Many of them had sold everything just to get out there and had no money to get back. They didn't have uniforms, kit, body armour. I gave them what I could before I left. Being out there cost me a great deal of money. I persuaded several to come out with me and I left my kit to be shared out."

Now back home, but unwilling to forget those that remain, the man sources as much military kit as he can from wherever he can, including ebay, and sends it out to Ukraine to his mates, who can still receive post in a warzone.

That includes body armour, although the plates are difficult to come by, and items of uniform. He also sends medical supplies, some of which is from veterinary practices and staples for open wounds where those administering battlefield first aid may not have the experience, or the time, for stitching.

He also tells stories of profiteering from war, of seeing car transporters queuing to get into or leave Ukraine bearing or collecting the vehicles panicked civilians have used to escape the war and then abandoned, with their numberplates removed and taken for re-sale.

Asked if he now agreed with the government that Brits shouldn't answer the call to arms, he said: "You have an 80% chance of not coming back and you're there for the duration, however long that may be. You're given a language document to help with the basics but after that you have to bond with the other foreigners because you won't be able to rely on anyone else.

"I felt guilty trying to persuade others to leave but I knew that if they didn't, they wouldn't live. Some were as young as 18 — the Playstation and the selfie generation. A selfie with a blown-up Russian tank is an opportunity for a Russian sniper.

"I have close friends out there still, but the amount of contact that I have with them grows less and less and I worry for their safety and what will happen if they are captured.

"I would only suggest anyone goes to fight in Ukraine if they have the right military experience and training and the kit and understands the commitment."