From the ashes of a political scandal, a former Conservative MP has reinvented himself on the frontlines of Europe's most treacherous conflict. Brooks Newmark, whose Westminster career ended abruptly, is now spearheading a defence technology startup in besieged Ukraine, supplying crucial drones to combat units.
From Westminster to the Warzone
Brooks Newmark, 67, once served as Minister for Civil Society in David Cameron's Coalition government. His political trajectory was famously derailed by an online sting operation. However, horrified by Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, he channelled his efforts into humanitarian aid, founding the charity Angels For Ukraine and personally organising civilian evacuations.
This year, his commitment deepened significantly. The US-born former MP relocated to Ukraine to launch Trypillian, a startup specialising in 'deep strike solutions'. A recent social media post shows Newmark posing with a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) manufactured by his firm during a visit to a combat unit.
The First Drone War
The nearly four-year conflict has been dubbed the 'first drone war', with analysts estimating that a staggering 75 per cent of military casualties on both sides are now caused by drone attacks. This stark statistic underscores the critical nature of the technology Newmark's company is developing.
'Our team recently visited one of the combat units, delivering UAVs,' Newmark wrote online. 'Keeping in close comms with the remarkable soldiers who operate our drones is essential. Their feedback improves our work and helps theirs.'
In a direct statement, he elaborated: 'We work with Ukrainian units on the frontline to help improve the technology they are using in addition to having them test new technology that we are developing. We have developed drones and related technology for both surveillance and combat, but the priority of all we develop is to protect Ukraine.'
A Life Between Two Worlds
Despite his bold move, Newmark has not completely severed ties with Britain. He still spends much of the year in the UK with his wife, Lucy Keegan, and their five children, balancing family life with his high-stakes work in a war-torn nation.
His journey from the heart of British politics to the heart of the Ukrainian defence effort marks a dramatic second act, demonstrating how the war has mobilised individuals from diverse backgrounds to support Kyiv's cause in tangible, technological ways.
