Publicly identified Western fighters
Name
Country
What is publicly documented
Social-media / OSINT evidence
Benjamin “Ben” Stimson
🇬🇧 UK
Joined pro-Russian forces in Donbas and later returned to Russia; publicly described himself as fighting for Russia.
YouTube videos, including material showing him in Russian military clothing. �
ITVX +1
Aiden Minnis
🇬🇧 UK
Joined Russian forces and has been publicly identified as serving alongside Stimson.
Appeared in photographs/videos with Stimson and Townsend; The Insider identifies him as a recruiter/participant. �
The Insider +1
Bradley Townsend
🇬🇧 UK
Joined Russian/separatist forces in April 2026 and was reportedly killed near Lyman on 10 June 2026.
Appeared in pro-Russian videos and on Stimson's online channels. �
The Guardian +1
Darryl Fladung
🇦🇺 Australia
Queenslander who travelled to Russia in 2026, joined the Russian military and subsequently reached the front, according to The Insider.
Identified through photographs and reporting connected to Stimson/Townsend's network. �
The Insider +1
Michael Alexander Gloss
🇺🇸 USA
Signed a Russian Defence Ministry contract in September 2023 and was killed fighting in Ukraine in April 2024.
His VK/social-media profile, photographs and leaked Russian recruitment/medical records were used to establish his involvement. �
The Washington Post +1
Seth Albert Noon
🇺🇸 USA
Identified as serving with Russia's 24th Motorized Rifle Brigade; The Insider reports participation in fighting around Bakhmut and Kherson.
Identified through the Western recruitment network and publicly available photographs/material. �
The Insider +1
Seth William Baker
🇺🇸 USA
A man identifying himself as Baker appeared in Russian footage claiming to be a former US Marine fighting for Russia. USMC records confirm a former Lance Corporal with that name, but officials could not independently confirm the man in the video was the same person.
Russian Telegram video. Identification should therefore be treated as unconfirmed. �
Task & Purpose
Derek Huffman
🇺🇸 USA
Moved his family from Texas to Russia and enlisted in the Russian armed forces in 2025. His family documented the move and enlistment online.
YouTube/"Huffman Time" videos. His actual frontline status is disputed: some reporting says he was sent to the front, while other reporting found no proof he actually fought there. �
TF1 Info +1
Ryan Gallant
🇨🇦 Canada
The Insider reports that the Canadian arrived in Russia in April 2026 and was recruited into the Russian military network.
Identified through the Western recruitment network; Stimson reportedly described him online as a professional helicopter pilot