Scott Anderson, the father of James Scott Rhys Anderson, is worried about his son's well-being after he was allegedly captured by Russian troops in the Kursk region of Russia. The 22-year-old former soldier was reported on by state news agency RIA, and a video circulated on Russian Telegram channels shows a man resembling him, dressed in military attire and appearing to have his hands bound, mentioning he served in the British army.

Scott Anderson shared his fears with the Daily Mail, stating, "I'm hoping he’ll be used as a bargaining chip but my son told me they torture their prisoners and I’m so frightened he’ll be tortured." Despite having spoken almost daily with his son until his last deployment, Mr. Anderson revealed that his family had opposed James's decision to participate in the conflict, but he felt compelled to help due to the crisis in Ukraine. He recalled that James had communicated with a Ukrainian commander who promised to inform the family if anything happened to him.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that it is providing support to the family following reports of the soldier's detention. Mr. Anderson revealed his heartbreak upon seeing the video of his son, who appeared "frightened, scared, and worried." James, who recently had returned to the UK, joined the International Legion to assist Ukraine after losing his job. In a reflection of his motivations, he expressed remorse about his decision, describing it as a "stupid idea."

James Anderson's journey to Ukraine involved flying from London to Krakow, Poland, and then taking a bus to the Ukrainian border. The family also noted that James has developed a romantic relationship with a Ukrainian woman, though her identity remains unknown. The situation highlights the broader issue of foreign nationals joining the conflict in Ukraine, particularly after President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for international support following Russia's aggression. In recent years, several British nationals have faced capture by Russian-backed forces, creating a worrying precedent for families involved.