A British father who moved to Russia to start a family was forced to join the Russian army or face deportation, and is now missing in Ukraine.
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01Summary
- 01Nathan Stobbart, 30, from Newcastle, was declared missing in action by his Russian unit on 12 December 2025.
- 02His mother Valerie says Russian authorities warned he would be deported if he did not sign up for a year's military service.
- 03Nathan had moved to Russia on Christmas Day 2024 to live with his wife Ksenia and their newborn son.
- 04The UK Foreign Office said it was aware of the case but that consular support in Russia is severely limited.
- 05Nathan's family say they have received no information from Russian officials, who cite classification.
02Why it matters
The case highlights the dangers faced by foreigners in Russia who may be coerced into military service, and underscores the limited ability of the UK government to help citizens in such situations.
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