Filton’s former MP Jack Lopresti has swapped British politics for serving in the Ukrainian military.
The former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, who previously served in the Territory Army, is volunteering with the International Legion of Ukraine in defence intelligence.
Alongside his military duties, Mr Lopresti, 55, says that he is providing support in foreign relations and diplomacy, weapons procurement, and works with veterans and other charities operating in Ukraine.
According to Mr Lopresti, he has joined a cross-party UK Parliamentary delegation which has travelled across Ukraine, visiting veteran rehab centres, the main children’s hospital in Kyiv, and had meetings with military commanders in Kharkiv.
Mr Lopresti said: “It is a huge honour and an immense privilege for me to serve in the Ukrainian military and be able to help the gallant and amazing Ukrainian people in any way I can.
“They are not only fighting for their freedom and their right to exist as a independent and sovereign nation, they are also fighting for all of us, in Europe and the rest of the free world.
“If Putin wins in Ukraine we all know he won’t stop there. Dictators have to be defeated, or they never stop.
“Ukraine has to be supported and given the tools to win for all of our sakes.”
In 2007, Mr Lopresti served as a gunner in the Territorial Army with the Royal Artillery, before being deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan for five months, from 2008 to 2009.
Mr Lopresti served as Filton and Bradley Stoke MP between 2010 and 2024.
