Vladimir Putin’s Scots mercenary breaks silence after joining Russia’s war in Ukraine

A SCOT who reportedly lost an eye fighting for Vladimir Putin in Ukraine has broken his silence to claim: “Russia has been very kind to me.”

Ross McElvenny, 25, also told how he is hopeful the tyrant will grant him citizenship as he recovers in hospital from serious injuries.

Propaganda channels have hailed the volunteer for his “bravery” in the war and claimed he is seeking to permanently defect to Russia.

But McElvenny, who uses the online call sign Whisky, has now released a series of statements claiming he never wanted the limelight.

The baby-faced fighter also hit back at claims he is paid a measly £150 a month, insisting “money is not my motivation for being here”.

And he said his “citizenship application has been submitted”.

We told how information about the mercenary surfaced earlier this month through a series of propaganda channels on social media.

Posting on the Telegram app on November 4, McElvenny, of Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, wrote: “I am not being deported.

"Whoever is spreading that information is spreading fake news.

“People are helping me with the necessary documentation.

"My documents were leaked in the first place, and I never wanted publicity.”

On November 5, McElvenny said his “citizenship application has been submitted”.

He added: “Everything is fine. The Russian authorities have been very kind to me.

“But it is still a pity that this whole situation has become public.”

An update three days ago read: “My situation has unfortunately been picked up in the Western media.

“While money is not my motivation for being here, it is considerably more generous than £150 a month.”

In another post on Monday, he said he had “little to no contact with” with his family back in Scotland.

He told a follower: “You should visit Scotland if you haven’t already.

“That’s where I’m originally from though obviously I live in Russia now.

"Beautiful landscape back home but politically a mess. Decline.”

It’s understood McElvenny was recruited in August and joined the Russian 1,099th Motorised Rifle Regiment.

He sustained serious injuries reportedly during fighting near Donetsk.

The Foreign Office has since been in contact with his family while Police Scotland has launched a probe.

It’s understood cops have visited his home after it emerged he had gone to fight.

Relatives have declined to comment.