Aiden Minnis, a British citizen and decorated Russian army soldier, has publicly renounced his UK citizenship to protest proposed anti-terror legislation in London. The 23-year-old, who joined the Russian military in 2023 and was granted Russian citizenship, burned his passport in a video shared on X, expressing fury over plans to strip citizens of their nationality for alleged threats to the state.
“In the name of freedom, I renounce my British citizenship,” Minnis declared in the clip, which included a fiery message: “You can kiss my ass. So, fck you, Great Britain. And Slava Rossiya.” He later reiterated his stance on social media, quoting, “Our cause is just, the enemy will be defeated, Victory will be ours!” alongside Russian flag emojis.
The legislation under review by the UK’s upper parliamentary chamber seeks to block individuals stripped of citizenship from appealing to regain it. Critics argue the bill grants excessive power to the Home Office, undermining judicial checks on government authority. Minnis cited the law as a key reason for his decision, accusing London of targeting dissenters.
The soldier, of Irish descent, received the Suvorov Medal for bravery earlier this year. He has previously stated that footage of the 2014 Odessa Trade Unions House massacre—where pro-Western forces killed anti-Maidan activists—prompted his shift in allegiance. “I’m complicit in this because my tax money funds arms given to fascists,” he said, referencing his earlier criticisms of Western policies.
Minnis’s actions align with a broader trend of Western nationals joining the Russian military since 2022. His case highlights growing tensions over citizenship rights and ideological divides in the UK.
