
Irish thug fighting for Russia awarded bravery medal for 'wiping out' Ukrainians
Aiden Minnis, 38, left the UK to fight alongside Kremlin forces when Russia invaded the country in 2022.
He is one of two traitors, both former drug addicts and criminals, exposed in a Mirror investigation last year. They face jail for terror offences if they return home.
Minnis, who spent time in jail in the UK for a violent racist attack, initially worked as a sapper, laying mines and explosives in Luhansk, Ukraine.
He now claims he has joined the Russian motorised rifle regiment in the Kharkiv region, storming Ukrainian trenches and positions.
Earlier this month Minnis, who was granted a Russian passport last year, was awarded the Suvorov medal by the Russian Federation for courage 'in defence of the Fatherland'.
He told us he won it for 'wiping out numerous khokhols [a derogatory term for Ukrainians]. I hope I get many more for killing the fascists and eliminating the Nazi scourge'.
Minnis, from Chippenham, Wilts, who is of Irish descent, claimed he has had 'many near-miss experiences'. He said: 'Last year I was wounded by shrapnel. A kamikaze drone hit the dugout, I was left with a fractured leg and multiple deep shrapnel wounds. I was in hospital for a few months.'
But he insisted: 'Although it's very hard, it must be done.'
Minnis, who has married a Russian, has declared he hates the UK and called Britain a 'fascist state'. He has also said he would die for Putin, 'the greatest politician on earth'. He has been disowned by his family, who say they want 'nothing to do with him'.
In an interview last month with Russian website RT, Minnis described his life at the Russian front line of Putin's invasion. 'My tasks can vary. You can spend several months in the trenches or participate in an evacuation or assault. There are many variables here depending on what is happening operationally.
'I get very nervous sometimes. Where we are is a very dangerous and active zone. It's impossible to relax or switch off. Every day there are drones, mortars and tank shells.'
Minnis said many fellow soldiers had been killed. He said: 'That's the hardest part. When you get to know them on the deepest level, and then sadly they make the ultimate sacrifice. It's happened many times here.'
He admitted his decision to fight for Russia meant family and friends cut him off.
He said: 'My parents disowned me. We've always had a difficult relationship, and unfortunately they believe what they see on TV and in the media.
'Many of my friends turned away from me for the same reason. But at least it made me realise they were never my friends. It was painful but to be expected.'
He added: 'However, I am dedicated to my work and have nothing but love for Russia. No matter how difficult it is, and how hard the fighting is, I'm indebted to Russia. It took care of me. Here, I found freedom, got citizenship, got married, bought a house. All this would never have happened in my homeland.'
Before leaving the UK, Minnis had a long record of arrests for violence. In December 2008 he was jailed for four years for an unprovoked racist attack on a man in Swindon, smashing him over the head with a bottle of port.
Two months after the assault Minnis robbed a man of his wallet and attempted to rob another, punching him in the face. The thug was also arrested months later for assaulting a homeless man.
Another man exposed by the Mirror, Ben Stimson, 49, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, is also believed to still be fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Last year, he posted a video showing him walking past dead bodies of Ukrainians in muddy fields, and digging up a grenade.
Ex-Army commander Colonel Richard Kemp branded the men 'traitors'. He said: 'These two are an absolute disgrace and are traitors who upon their return to the UK should be arrested and jailed.'
He added: 'They clearly don't know who the enemy is.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
26 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Man arrested after five viable bombs placed at water supply sites
A man has been arrested in a joint Garda-PSNI operation into at least five viable bomb devices placed at water supply sites, three in the Republic and two in the North — the most recent in Foynes, Co Limerick. Investigators have not yet established the man's motivation for planting the devices — none of which detonated — and are hoping to try and establish his reasoning during questioning. The suspect, from South Armagh, has no known connections with republican paramilitaries or any other type of violent extremist group. No manifesto or campaign has been linked to the suspect, who is aged in his mid-40s. The man, a welder by trade, is being linked to three 'viable devices' in the Republic — one in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, one in North Dublin and the most recent one in Foynes. The one in north Dublin is from a year or two ago while the Castleblaney one is recent. Security sources said that while the devices were viable they were missing certain technical expertise. The devices were placed at commercial premises either at connection points to water supplies or at waste treatment sites. Security sources said it was not clear why the man was doing this and are investigating whether it is linked to a grievance or if it stems from mental health issues or possible conspiracy thinking. Gardaí do not think it is connected with Irish Water. Two of the incidents are in the North. The Garda Special Detective Unit — the force's anti-terrorism branch — is supporting local garda investigations, coordinating all three investigations, and is liaising with the PSNI. The Garda Cavan/Monaghan branch is taking the lead in the local investigations. Sources said the man went to a 'huge amount of effort' making the devices, travelling the country and breaking into commercial properties to place the devices. Sources have moved to contradict speculation that the most recent incident at the Aughinish Alumina refinery at Foynes last Friday is connected to its Russian ownership. It is thought that the device there was spotted by a member of staff, who alerted gardaí. A Defence Forces EOD team was deployed and it made the device safe. Security sources said all three devices are similar and that they have been linked to the suspect. PSNI search The PSNI moved in to conduct a search on the man's home in South Armagh on Sunday; he had travelled south of the border, as he often does for work. He was picked up by armed units attached to STOC (Special Tactics & Operations Command), backed by local gardaí. He was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for 48 hours and a further and final period of 24 hours. Sources have said that if the devices were detonated the damage would have been 'site-specific' and not had any wider impact on water supplies to the local population. However, sources added that if there were detonated and someone was near it, it could cause significant injuries. It is thought the suspect used his knowledge as a welder together with information online to construct the devices. A statement issued by Garda HQ said: 'As part of the investigation into the discovery of a number of attempted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Northeast and Southwest of the country, a male (40s) was arrested on Sunday, 6th July 2025. 'The male was arrested during an operation on Sunday evening involving National, Regional and local Garda units in County Monaghan. 'He is currently being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in the North Western Region. 'An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with our colleagues in the PSNI in relation to this investigation. "As this is an ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.'


RTÉ News
30 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Minister fired by Putin found dead, Russia says
Russia's former transport minister Roman Starovoyt died hours after being officially dismissed by President Vladimir Putin, the country's investigative committee has said. Authorities said Mr Starovoyt's body was found in a Moscow suburb after the firing was announced with "suicide" being considered as the most likely cause of death. Mr Starovoyt, who was 53, served as Russia's transport minister since May last year. He was previously the governor of the Kursk region, where Russia had battled a Ukrainian incursion. "Today, the body of former transport minister Roman Starovoyt was found in his private car with a gunshot wound in the Odintsovo district," the investigative committee said in a statement. "The main version (considered) is suicide," it added. Russian state media and news agencies said Mr Starovoyt shot himself. It was not clear exactly when Mr Starovoyt died. Hours earlier, the Kremlin published a decree signed by Mr Putin to relieve Mr Starovoyt of his duties. It only said: "Roman Starovoyt was relieved of the post of minister of transport." Mr Starovoyt's firing came after another weekend of travel chaos at Russian airports following Ukrainian drone attacks. Russian state media also speculated the firing was linked to corruption in the Kursk region and a possible criminal case on the embezzlement of funds meant for fortifications in the border region. Commenting on the firing, before Mr Starovoyt's death was announced, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "not linked to a loss of trust". Shortly after the Kremlin announced the dismissal, Mr Putin met with one of Mr Starovoyt's deputies, Andrei Nikitin, to appoint him as acting transport minister.


Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Who will lead Sinn Féin if Mary Lou McDonald runs for President?
Speculation is intensifying around who could take over the leadership of Sinn Féin amid growing signs that Mary Lou McDonald may launch a bid for presidency. The 56-year-old party leader has refused to rule herself out of the running, prompting a surge in political chatter. Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, McDonald was asked directly about her intentions for the upcoming presidential election but remained tight-lipped, refusing to rule out a potential bid. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Pic: Fran Veale As Fine Gael begins its search for a presidential candidate, with Mairead McGuinness and Seán Kelly expected to run, focus has now shifted to Sinn Féin and what it would do if Mary Lou McDonald turned her attention to the presidency. According to BoyleSports, McDonald's odds to become Ireland's next President have dramatically shortened from 20/1 to 6/1, making her the third favourite behind Mairead McGuinness (EVS) and Independent TD Catherine Connolly (4/1). McGuinness, a former Vice President of the European Parliament, is seen as the favourite in Fine Gael's race. She previously lost out to Gay Mitchell for the nomination in 2011, but this time has gained high-profile support – including from Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who said he'd be 'very proud' to see her as President. Mairead McGuinness. Pic: Isopix/REX/Shutterstock Seán Kelly, a fellow MEP and former GAA President, has also shown strong interest in the role. 'I could do a lot,' he said last month, confirming that colleagues had approached him to run. If McDonald steps aside to run for president, the focus will shift to who could lead Sinn Féin into the next general election, where the party is expected to make a serious push for power. BoyleSports has released updated odds for the next Sinn Féin President, with Pearse Doherty emerging as the clear favourite at 4/11. Doherty, the party's finance spokesperson and one of Sinn Féin's most experienced figures in the Dáil, has long been seen as a natural successor. Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Michelle O'Neill follows at 5/1. The current First Minister of Northern Ireland was once tipped as Sinn Féin's likely presidential candidate, but that now seems less likely. O'Neill remains a major figure in the party and would offer continuity, especially given Sinn Féin's strong support in the North. Michelle O'Neill. Pic:Eoin Ó Broin, the party's high-profile housing spokesperson, is coming in at 6/1, followed by Matt Carthy at 8/1 and David Cullinane at 10/1. A possible leadership change in Sinn Féin comes at a crucial moment in Irish politics. The next presidential election will likely take place between September 13 and November 10. Fianna Fáil hasn't decided if they will enter, and Labour considered former Liveline host Joe Duffy, but he said no. So, the race is still wide open. Independent TD Catherine Connolly is trying to become the left's main candidate. Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood is interested but hasn't got much support from Fianna Fáil. If Mary Lou McDonald runs for president, Sinn Féin will need a new leader, meaning the fight to replace her could be just as interesting as the presidential race.