‘No more British soldiers’: Father of Newcastle United fan killed in MH17 crash on Russian invasion of Ukraine

The father of a Newcastle United fan killed in the MH17 aeroplane crash in 2014 has begged that 'no more British soldiers' be deployed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The MH17 flight was shot down over Ukraine on 17 July 2014, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.

An inquiry ruled that the flight was shot by a Russian made missile and Newcastle United fans Liam Sweeney and John Alder were killed in the tragedy.

Liam and John are some of the first Western lives to have been lost to the tensions in Ukraine.

Fast forward to 2022 and Russia has mounted a 'full-scale invasion' on Ukraine, with explosions and shelling being reported.

Speaking to ITV on Tuesday, February 15, Barry Sweeney, the father of Liam begged for no British military action.

He said: "No more British soldiers, I'm afraid.

"Regardless of what has happened in the past.

"I know there's a lot of anger."

In the interview earlier this month, Mr Sweeney also asked Vladimir Putin to "stop the bloodshed" and said, "Mr Putin knows all the answers about what happened to my son, Liam".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today addressed the nation on the unfolding events.

Mr Johnson said: "Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny.

"We and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out.

"We cannot and will not just look away ...

"Today, in concert with our allies, we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.

"And to that end, we must also collectively cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on western politics.

"Our mission is clear; diplomatically politically, economically, and eventually, military, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure."