James Scott Rhys Anderson has been accused of crimes against civilians in Kursk Region, officials have said

A Russian court has sentenced a British citizen to 19 years in prison for fighting for Ukraine as a mercenary as well as committing a "terrorist act" in Kursk Region.

In a statement on Wednesday, Russia's Investigative Committee said that James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, "took direct part in the armed conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation for material compensation."

The suspect, it added, invaded Russia's territory together with Ukrainian forces last November. Anderson "committed crimes against the civilian population" in Kursk Region, the committee said, accusing the Briton of causing significant property damage and attempting to destabilize the government's activities. Officials have not provided any further details on the specifics of the charges.

According to the committee, Anderson is expected to serve his first five years in prison and the remainder in a maximum-security penal colony.

The suspect previously claimed that Ukrainian commanders had forced him to enter Russia, adding that they had taken away his identification papers and cell phone. He also stated that he had served in the UK military as a signals operator between 2019 and 2023 before deciding to join Kiev's foreign legion. According to Anderson, once he arrived in the country, he was mainly involved in training local military personnel.

The United Kingdom's Foreign Office has vowed to provide all the necessary support to Anderson but has not commented on the specifics of the charges or the trial proceedings.

Russian authorities have consistently prosecuted foreign mercenaries fighting for Ukraine, warning that any troops supporting Kiev would be considered "legitimate targets."

In January, a Russian court sentenced retired US Army Ranger Patrick Creed to 13 years in prison for serving with Ukraine's armed forces between 2022 and 2023.

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(RT.com)