As with everything in English law, that's all depending on circumstances and actions. Enlisting abroad has a different weighting to foreign fighting (as an individual or group) and while the foreign office publically stated that the law exists, they have intentionally avoided specifics. The minister saying its OK initially matters a lot. This basically allows them to disavow having responsibility to provide protection. Active duty UK personnel are certainly barred but its not as simple as that makes it seem for others.
from cnn.com Ukrainian forces have been trying in the last few days to regain territory from the Russians, according to a senior US defense official, who described them as “able and willing” to do so. Here's the situation on the ground: Counterattacks near the capital: A Ukrainian counterattack north and west of Kyiv appeared to have made some headway, jeopardizing Russian efforts to encircle the capital and threatening the ability of Russian forces to resupply the forward units that are exposed to the north of the city. Makariv: One such area is Makariv, a strategic town 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Kyiv. After days of fighting, Ukrainian forces regained control of the town, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a Facebook post Tuesday. CNN could not confirm the claim. Makariv had sustained significant damage from ongoing Russian airstrikes, with video showing widespread devastation. If Ukrainian forces consolidate their control of Makariv, it would become more difficult for Russian forces to secure the western approaches to Kyiv and then push further south. North of Kyiv: There are also indications that Russian forces have suffered setbacks to the north of Kyiv in areas they have held almost since the beginning of the invasion. A brief video geolocated by CNN showed Ukrainian troops walking in the town of Moschun, about 20 miles (35 kilometers) north of the capital. Ukrainian drone video geolocated during the weekend showed the destruction of Russian armor in the same area. Flooding of Irpin River: Satellite images from Monday showed growing flooding from the Irpin River. CNN previously reported that a dam along the Dnieper River was flooding the Irpin River basin and its tributaries. The river is critical to the Russian advance toward Kyiv; if the Russians cannot cross it, they can't take Kyiv from the west. It's unclear how the dam began flooding: whether the gates were opened on purpose by the Ukrainians, or it was hit by a military strike. Borodyanka: Some 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Makariv is the town of Borodyanka, which has been held by Russian and Chechen forces since early in the campaign. If the Ukrainians were to take Borodyanka, forward Russian units could be cut off. The battlefield is fluid, and the Russians could reverse recent losses. But if the Ukrainians hold Makariv and extend their control over the area, Russian positions between the town and Kyiv would become vulnerable, further impeding their goal of pushing south beyond the main east-west highway to encircle the capital. Kherson and Mykolaiv: Asenior US defense official said Ukrainians are fighting to take back the southern city of Kherson, as well as pushing Russian forces from the northeast of Mykolaiv, forcing them to reposition south of the city. The official cautioned that the US cannot say whether these moves are part of a “larger operational plan” by the Ukrainians or not, but called the Ukrainian defense “nimble” and “agile." Russian soldier complains troops ‘have frostbite’ and low morale in intercepted call
The legal system always has the option to not prosecute of course. Event if they do, the judiciary always has the option of imposing a nominal penalty or a suspended penalty. But that doesn't make fighting for another power against a non-enemy power legal. In fact two Ministers have spoken about this. One said it was OK the other said it was illegal. Neither of them has responsibility for enforcing this law so both could claim they were speaking independently and simply as concerned MP's - their respective staffs would not have been able to brief them on matters controlled by another Department so they will be able to claim simultaneously good intentions but ignorance.
Putin does not care about lives, no matter from which country. He is sending in B team because they are young and are easier to manipulate. They were told they went on exercise to Crimea, but ended up in a war in Ukraine without even realizing it. A team are more experienced, they know what is happening and are afraid to go to war. Many refuse or sabotage to avoid being send to Ukraine. Even Russian hired mercenaries refuse to go to Ukraine. https://www.smobserved.com/story/20...ight-in-ukraine-reports-obozrevatel/6500.html I hear rumors from inside Russia that Putin wants to attract boys from the Russian youth movements (like scouts) to go to fight in Ukraine. They are even thinking about bombing a Russian city, blaming the Ukrainians. In the hope that Russians will volunteer to go to Ukraine. Putin did the same thing already in the war with Chechnya.
Indeed, as the law has not been applied in some time, its arguably now desuetude and unenforceable in the current context. If they keep their noses clean, no war crimes etc. they will be fine for all practical purposes. Its completely understandable to want to avoid captured citizens being paraded for propoganda. I have three citizenship, I qualify for more so its a needle to thread.
Well here's a good article for this thread... It's a Golden Age for Armchair Generals It’s easier than ever to get clout by being extremely online during a war. https://www.vice.com/en/article/4awp9p/its-a-golden-age-for-armchair-generals? People on the internet have a lot of ideas for how to manage Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some of them want a no-fly zone, despite the very real possibility that it will lead to apocalyptic nuclear war. Some of them think that regular Ukrainian civilians could disable Russian tanks with paintball guns. And yet others have extremely detailed tips for urban warfare. (Much more at above url)