The sister of a British citizen who is currently being detained by Russian forces described a video of her brother, broadcast on Russian state television, as “alarming and hurtful”.
Aiden Aslin, a former Coldstream guard from Newark, Nottingham, was one of the last Ukrainian soldiers to surrender in the besieged city of Mariupol.
The 28-year-old joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a Marine in 2018.
He fought for more than 50 days to protect his adopted homeland before a shortage of supplies led to his forced surrender.
“We exchanged video messages with Aiden just before the surrender to tell him about our love and support,” his sister Shannon Tinegate told Sky News.
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Image: Mariupol has been under attack since the beginning of the war
“There were no signs of physical injuries in Aiden either.”
In a video, filmed less than 24 hours later and broadcast on Russian state television, there appear to be cuts and bruises on the former medical worker’s face as he answers questions from a Russian interviewer.
“At least we know he’s alive,” Shannon said. “But all we can go on is his looks. So this part is worrying.”
“He looks exhausted and tired,” she added. “But he’s been fighting for more than 50 days, so who wouldn’t?”
“We’re proud of him, but we’re worried … The worst thing is you don’t know.”
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In the video, Mr Aslin’s investigators appear to be trying to accuse him of crimes allegedly committed by Russia in the port city.
His family says he insists on being a Marine in 2018 and as such should be treated as a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention.
But some Russian media sources say he is a mercenary, not a soldier.
Shannon says: “Aiden has dual citizenship. His fiancée is Ukrainian and his life is there.
“He is a proud Ukrainian citizen, so to see him called a mercenary is insulting. We know the truth. We know what he is and what his goals are.
“He is a compassionate and loving man who believes in freedom and peace.
“We all love him and do what we can. We just hope he stays strong and positive.”
Before the war broke out, Mr Aslin told Sky News that people thought he was crazy to have signed up to fight and said he should not even be Ukraine.
“This is a real argument on their part, but I am here, my fiancée is Ukrainian, I have a house in Ukraine, I am starting a family,” he said at the time.
“There will always be someone who says I shouldn’t be here, but at the end of the day, if I’m not here, it’s as if my government isn’t here, so that’s the best I can do to do that. which my government cannot do. “
Shannon says her brother, who returned from fighting as a volunteer in Syria in 2016, is “brave and courageous, but also strong-willed.”
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She said her message to Aiden was simple: “Keep your head high, Aiden. Your family thinks of you and supports you.
“We love you and are proud of you, no matter what you say, and all of Newark and Nottingham are behind you.
Mr Aslin’s family contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask for help in securing his release.
Their other hope is for it to become part of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.
Sky News understands that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the detention of a British citizen and is in touch with their family.
Whatever route he takes, Mr. Aslin’s family simply wants him to be able to return to welcoming the character they think he deserves.
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