AN ex British soldier from Bradford is prepared to leave his family to go on the frontline and fight the war in Ukraine.

“Once a soldier, always a soldier. You almost feel like you have a duty to answer a call when something like this happens,” said the former military man who has enquired about heading over to the war-struck country.

Read: Ex soldier from Spen Valley keen to go fight on frontline in Ukraine

Earlier this week, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would support British nationals who choose to go to Ukraine to help with their fight against the Russian invasion.

It comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of a new “international legion” to help defend his country.

Mr Zelensky has appealed to foreign volunteers to come forward promising them arms to fight against the invading army.

One of those people interested in joining is a man, who wished to remain anonymous, from Allerton.

He has seven years of military experience after serving in the army between 1995 and 2002.

The happily married family man feels it is his “duty” to head out there in an attempt to demoralise Russian forces.

He said: “It is genocide what is happening over there. The sanctions that are being put on Russia are simply not enough.

“I have military experience from 15 years ago. I served in Northern Ireland as part of my seven years between 1995 and 2002.

“I want to help demoralise the Russian army and show that Ukraine are not alone. It would be disastrous to let them continue.

“I am happily married with a family. My wife was super supportive when I mentioned going over.

“I have sent an email to the embassy and are just waiting on a reply.

“Once a soldier, always a soldier. You almost feel like you have a duty to answer a call when something like this happens.

“I am currently a middle manager, so the worry is will I be in a job when I come back.”

Yesterday Boris Johnson accused Vladimir Putin of committing war crimes as he condemned “abhorrent” attacks on the citizens of Ukraine.

More than 2,000 civilians have died since the invasion, Ukraine’s state emergency service said, although that figure has not been independently verified.

The UK fears the Russian leader will unleash even greater force against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in the coming days.

The Prime Minister spoke to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday morning, promising further support and weapons for the forces resisting Russia’s military.

Strikes that damaged the Babi Yar Holocaust memorial in Kyiv and the central square in Kharkiv have caused revulsion, and Western allies fear it is a sign of a shift in Russian tactics towards indiscriminate targeting of urban areas.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “Putin has gravely miscalculated; in his abhorrent assault on a sovereign nation, he has underestimated the extraordinary fortitude of the Ukrainian people and the unity and resolve of the free world in standing up to his barbarism.”