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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Daniel Bird & John Bett

Brit tourist in Ukraine says he's prepared for the worst - even 'losing limb or two'

A British "danger tourist" in Ukraine has spoken out about his travels saying he is prepared for the worst - evening "losing a limb or two".

Miles Routledge claims he found his way into Ukraine despite the Russian invasion, via the last train from Poland and claims his documents were not checked, instantly being allowed entry to the country.

He said he likes to explore the "worst places in the world" and previously he travelled to the middle east for an 'insane Afghanistan holiday ', and was 'evacuated' at the last minute.

Now he's spoken to the Daily Star in an exclusive interview and said that he's prepared for the worst in Ukraine, and can at least "claim benefits" if he loses a limb.

Miles said he was prepared for the worst (Miles Routledge)

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Miles, from Birmingham, said: "If I want to be cynical, I'm quite religious - I'm a Catholic. If I die, hopefully, I'll go to heaven, and if I'm wrong and it's blackness, that's not my issue anymore.

"If that doesn't happen and I'm alive, that's good stuff, if I lose a limb or two I can claim benefits, I guess.

"I got worried they wouldn't let me in, there was a rumour that any male may be forcefully conscripted, so I thought I'd be thrown into the army.

Miles said he could at least get on benefits if he got injured (Miles Routledge)

"If something went wrong and I landed in Ukraine and suddenly everything popped off at once, that would have been the worst-case scenario."

Since arriving in the country, he explained that he's witnessed devastating scenes, saying: "I've seen a dog with basically half its head missing but that was in the northern bit when I went exploring.

"I'm not sure what happened there, if something had popped off or if it was Russian soldiers."

Miles made a press pass, just in case (Miles Routledge)

Despite finding shelter in a hotel, he says: "The streets are completely empty, you only get the occasional person, there's a curfew of 5pm, so it's very difficult, it's the first curfew through til Monday so people are not too sure what to make of it.

"People are being very friendly in the shelter, they're transporting mattresses around, people are handing out water, it's very nice - very good people."

However, the news about the Home Office not helping Brits return from Ukraine doesn't phase Miles, he said: "If I need to get out, I'll do it on my own terms and I'll do it without any help, I don't want to be that guy that puts a drain on resources.

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"If something happens, I've got some contacts, some friends that are going over and joining the military, they can help out.

"I'll just make my own way on foot because all transport links are cut off."

Miles, however, doesn't believe that the British military should be assisting in Ukraine unless soldiers volunteer to do so.

"It should be a voluntary thing, I think the UK should help people that want to go over but if they don't, that's absolutely fine," he said.

Do you have a story to share? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@trinitymirror.com.

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