Simon Hedley, 40, who attended Kings’ School and later worked in private security, is currently serving with the Ukrainian armed forces.
Since he left 13 months ago, his mum and dad, who asked not to be named, say the brutal realities of war have taken their toll.
“He’s full of shrapnel,” said his mother. “He’s been wounded nine times [and] he got his leg burnt because the Russians are using white phosphorous.”
There are also emotional scars. “His friend was captured and has been murdered,” she continued. “He’s an Australian. The aim is not to be captured because you will be tortured and you will be shot.”
Simon’s mother was speaking about Oscar Jenkins, who was reportedly captured and killed by the Russians.
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Simon, who previously worked in private security, travelled to Ukraine at the end of 2023 (Image: Simon Hedley) Now a pro-Putin Telegram channel has released some of Simon’s details published on his social media accounts as the GRU (Russian military intelligence) puts his battalion in its crosshairs.
His mum said: “It’s thoroughly nasty and it’s done to intimidate – and no it bloody isn’t going to intimidate.”
“Am I worried? Yes,” added Simon’s father. “He’s got a $10,000 bounty on his head.”
The couple, who still live in Winchester, also spoke of the close shaves their son has been through, including one in which the Russians overwhelmed his squadron.
“They were in a hotspot – the Russians overran it,” said his mum. “And so the advice from headquarters was: ‘Hide. We’ll get you when we can get back in.'”
Simon’s social media photos were posted on a pro-Russian Telegram account (Image: Simon Hedley) Simon then had to conceal himself in the rubble of a blown-up building until early morning, when he and his fellow soldiers re-established communications and were rescued.
Simon’s father, who was aware his son was in danger, said: “I didn’t sleep. I was absolutely beside myself. It was just horrible. It was absolutely heart-wrenching.”
Before he went to Ukraine, Simon worked as an area manager providing security for migrants housed in hotels.
His father said: “He’s extremely anti-racist and always has been. He’s a humanitarian, shall we say.”
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Explaining Simon’s decision to fight in the war, his mother said: “His life went to poo over here [in the UK]. He separated from his wife; everything went wrong so he was like, ‘OK, I’m going to go’.”
In spite of the harshness of combat, Simon’s parents say, he has fallen in love with the country.
“He’s planning on living in Ukraine, if he can, depending on the outcome of the war,” said his dad.