British teen's tragic fate as Ukraine volunteer under fire
James Wilton, an 18-year-old volunteer from the United Kingdom, was killed in Ukraine. Russian drones targeted him and his companion. "Once the drone was on him, James never stood a chance," says a friend of the 18-year-old who witnessed his death.
James Wilton was 17 years old when he decided to volunteer to defend Ukraine against Russia. He had no prior military experience. His story is reported by the British newspaper "The Sun". As we learn, the 18-year-old flew to Ukraine four months before his death.
"I’ll never get over this. I didn’t want him to go but his heart was set on it. He wanted to help Ukraine," said Graham Wilson, father of the 18-year-old.
War in Ukraine: 18-year-old volunteer from the United Kingdom killed
Jason, an American volunteer who also participated in the same mission, described the last moments of the 18-year-old. They were walking in a group of six when drones suddenly appeared.
I screamed at him: ‘We need to move, we need to move!’ Then the drone moved and began hovering 20 metres above me. He wanted us closer together so he could kill both of us with one bomb. Then another drone appeared. I told him I was going to start shooting then he turned and said: ‘I’m going to run.’ We both started sprinting with two drones on top of us — then a third one appeared. Once the drone was on him, James never stood a chance, describes Jason.
Just 30 yards from the trench line, there was an explosion. About 20 minutes later, Jason returned to the battlefield to retrieve his friend's body. He himself was injured in the foot. James Wilton was cremated in Ukraine on 24 July last year. Only now is the truth about his tragic death coming to light.
The deceased Briton left behind his parents and siblings in the country: 22-year-old Sophie and 21-year-old Sarah. "I brought his ashes back home, but might go back to scatter them there. I think that might be what he would have wanted," reflects the father of the 18-year-old.
