A former British Army soldier thought to have been killed in Ukraine has surfaced alive in a Russian propaganda video. Hayden Davies, 30, who had reportedly joined Ukrainian forces, appeared dishevelled and speaking under duress in footage released by his captors.
Wearing a camouflage-patterned shirt and sporting an unkempt beard, Mr Davies criticised Ukrainian commanders and claimed he was treated poorly while fighting in the Donetsk region. The video, heavily edited and clearly staged, shows Mr Davies stating that his life was saved by a Russian soldier after being taken prisoner.
Originally from Southampton, Hayden Davies served with the Royal Regiment of Scotland but was discharged from the British Army in 2023 after admitting to smoking marijuana. Following his dismissal, he reportedly decided to join Ukraine’s International Legion to continue his military career.
In the video, Mr Davies alleges that foreign fighters in Ukraine are “brainwashed” into believing they are on the right side of the conflict. He claims they receive little training and accuses Ukrainian commanders of treating soldiers as expendable.
“The money is **** and your chain of command don’t care about you. They will use you as meat,” he said. He further described being left on dangerous listening posts for extended periods and refusing to follow certain orders.
Davies stated that he was captured after hiding from a drone and encountering a uniformed Russian soldier. According to his account, the soldier spared his life, offered him a cigarette, and carried him to safety amid ongoing artillery fire.
The circumstances of his capture remain unclear, and it is unknown how freely Mr Davies could speak in the video. A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed they are supporting his family and monitoring the situation closely.
The video marks a stark contrast to earlier reports of Mr Davies’ life. At 16, he was hailed as a local hero after saving a young woman having an epileptic seizure in Northallerton. Using his Army Cadet training, he placed her in the recovery position and stayed with her until paramedics arrived, earning a certificate of recognition from the council.
At the time, he said: “I feel quite excited to be called a hero. I would do it again.”
The release of the propaganda video, coupled with its uncertain context, leaves his family and loved ones in limbo. While the footage confirms he is alive, his safety and future remain uncertain in Russian custody.
The Foreign Office continues to urge caution when interpreting such staged material, particularly given the manipulative nature of propaganda in conflicts like this.
