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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
William Walker

Brit student who had to be evacuated from Afghanistan holiday plans Ukraine trip

A Brit student who said he had to be evacuated out of Kabul after holidaying there as the country fell to the Taliban now wants to visit Ukraine.

The former Loughborough University undergraduate says he likes to explore the "worst places in the world", including a trip to Chernobyl two years ago.

In August Miles Routledge, 22, from Birmingham, said he was stuck in Kabul after booking a holiday by Googling 'the most dangerous cities to visit.'

He claimed he was confronted by insurgents near the airport who asked him where he was from.

At the time he said he told them he was from Wales rather than say he was British in hopes they would not realise it is in the UK, and they let him go.

What do you make of Miles' travels? Have your say in the comment section

His trip to Afghanistan divided opinion (PA)

Now, in an interview with the Mail Online the thrill-seeker says he wants to visit hotspot Ukraine just as tensions with Russia and the US reach soaring heights.

He said he hoped to go to Kharkiv, Donetsk and Crimea, locations which the Foreign Office has advised people against travelling to.

He said: "I've been to Ukraine before so I'm hoping to see something new.

"I want to see the war. I want to see the feelings of both sides, their opinions and hopefully I'll see the critical point of the conflict, if it is to come."

He also addressed people who disapproved of him travelling to places considered to be dangerous.

He added: "I'd say I wish them all the best but truthfully they were never my audience and for every seething comment made against me, behind it was my friends and I eating popcorn and laughing at them.

Miles received widespread attention and criticism on social media (PA)

"I'll continue to travel regardless of their opinions, I'll even go back to Afghanistan and there's nothing they can do about it."

It comes as the risk of Russia invading Ukraine was described as "extremely high" by the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.

More than 100,000 Russian troops are currently stationed at different points along its border with Ukraine as war fears continue to grow.

Vadym Prystaiko has now said he believes President Vladimir Putin is capable of installing a pro-Moscow leader in the country - and warned the leader is "gradually building up" his forces.

He told LBC: "We believe that the risk is extremely high."

Prystaiko said Russia's 100,000 troops are currently "not enough", but noted that the threat is "adding up" with the nation's helicopters and S-400 systems also being used.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab warned Russia will face "serious economic consequences" if they invade and install a "puppet regime" in Ukraine.

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