Two British fighters captured in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol appeared on Russian national television and asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help take them home.
Sean Pinner and Aiden Aslin, captured while defending Mariupol from a Russian attack, were broadcast on television channels in the 24 states of Rossiya and were arrested by Ukrainian authorities on April 12 for pro-Russian pro-Russia. Asked to exchange for Victor Medvedchuk, Oligarch. ..
Pinner, a 48-year-old former British Army soldier, said in a video:
He said to Johnson: “Obviously, I really appreciate your help and push this agenda on this issue.”
In another clip, 28-year-old Aslin said: And bring us back to the family. “
In a statement released by the British Foreign Ministry, Pinner’s family explained how he became involved in the defense of Ukraine.
They say: “Sean was a respected soldier who had been a member of the Royal Anglian Regiment for many years in the British Army. He has participated in many tours, including the United Nations in Northern Ireland and Bosnia.
“In 2018, Sean decided to move to Ukraine to take advantage of his previous experience and training in the Ukrainian army.
“Sean enjoys the Ukrainian lifestyle and has considered Ukraine an adoptive country for the past four years. During this time he met his wife in Ukraine. He is very focused on the humanitarian needs of the country. Is matched.
“He marched into the Ukrainian Marines as a proud member of his unit.”
The family refused to characterize Ukrainian foreign fighters as “mercenaries” by the Russian media, emphasizing that Pinner “officially serves Ukrainian troops in accordance with Ukrainian law.”
They said they were “working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Aiden Aslin’s family” to ensure that “their rights as prisoners of war were upheld in accordance with the Geneva Convention.”
Originally from Nottinghamshire, Aslin defended Mariupol in his troops during the fierce battles of the last few weeks before he had to surrender 48 days later.
Telegrams reported that Aslin joined the Ukrainian army in 2018 and was previously fighting the Kurdish army against the Syrian ISIS terrorist group.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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