Veterans are being urged not to go to Ukraine and fight - with the government warning that they could face prosecution if they ignore UK advice not to travel to the war-torn country.

A number of British ex-servicemen are believed to have left to join the war to help Ukrainian forces, with Kent MP Helen Grant's son reportedly among them.

In an attempt to spread the government message, veterans minister Leo Docherty has now written to military charities and those supporting ex-service personnel seeking their support in ensuring veterans they are in touch with keen to support the conflict remain on UK soil and turn their efforts to charity and volunteering instead.

He wrote: "We know that Russia’s illegal invasion has rightly brought out strong feelings of support for the Ukrainian people.

"Veterans always step up in times of need, but they must channel their skills, experience and passion into legal routes of support for Ukraine and not engage in the conflict.

"There are many ways that we all can support the people of Ukraine, including through donating money to charity."

At the end of February, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was criticised for saying she would 'absolutely' support British nationals who choose to go to Ukraine to help fight Russia.

But in today's two-page letter to organisations nationwide, the minister makes it clear that the government does not support volunteers going to fight in Ukraine and says that individuals who do so are putting themselves at significant risk by entering into the conflict.

He added: "I am asking for your assistance in diverting and dissuading any travel attempts that come to your attention. The UK Government’s position remains that travelling to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the conflict, may amount to offences against UK legislation and could lead to prosecution.

"Ukraine needs equipment and funds, rather than volunteers who, although well meaning, will put further pressure on stretched resources.

"I am very concerned about the risk to individuals in what is a dangerous situation."

Ben Grant, the son of Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant, is reportedly among a group of seven ex-servicemen who joined the country's armed forces in Kyiv on Saturday, March 5.

The 30-year-old, who spent more than five years with the Royal Marines, said he chose to head for Ukraine after seeing footage of a house being bombed where children could be heard screaming.