A number of British soldiers have gone AWOL and may have travelled to Ukraine, the Army has confirmed.

A spokesperson told Sky News: “We are aware of a small number of individual soldiers who have disobeyed orders and gone absent without leave, and may have travelled to Ukraine in a personal capacity.

“We are actively and strongly encouraging them to return to the UK.

“All Service Personnel are prohibited from travelling to Ukraine until further notice.

“This applies whether the Service Person is on leave or not. Personnel travelling to Ukraine will face disciplinary and administrative consequences.”

Earlier Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the Commons: “The Government position is if you are serving member of the armed forces you will be breaking the law.

“There were reports in a weekend newspaper about three members who had gone AWOL over the weekend.

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“They will be breaking the law and they will be prosecuted when they return for going absent without leave or deserting.

“For others, as the government travel advice is don’t go to Ukraine, we strongly discourage them from joining these forces.

“My experience from having been security minister is people who went off to join the YPG and other organisations: it didn’t end well.

“It is also the case that, as a number are now discovering, the Ukrainians are very clear: you turn up, you are in it for the whole game. You are not in it for a selfie and six weeks, you are in it for real.

“I think we have seen already some people at the borders find that may not be the right option to follow.”

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