The family of a Briton captured in Mariupol says he considers Ukraine “his adopted country” and is working with the Foreign Ministry to ensure that his rights as a prisoner of war are respected.
Former British Army soldier Sean Piner was filmed saying he was captured in Mariupol while fighting Ukrainian Marines.
In footage broadcast on Russian state television, Mr Piner said he had fought in the besieged port city for five to six weeks, but is now in the breakaway Donetsk region.
His family issued a statement saying they were “currently working with the State Department” along with the family of Aidan Aslin of Newark in Nottingham, who was one of the last soldiers to surrender in the besieged city of Mariupol on April 15.
Image: Sean Pinner’s family shared a photo of the 48-year-old
They said they wanted to “ensure that their rights as prisoners of war are respected under the Geneva Convention” while tackling “misinformation”.
The Geneva Convention is an international humanitarian law that requires the treatment of all people in the hands of the enemy.
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The family said: “After the recent events that led to Sean Pinner’s current situation, we would like to clarify some misinformation circulating in the media.
“Sean was a respected soldier in the British Army, serving in the Royal English Regiment for many years. He has served on many tours, including in Northern Ireland and with the United Nations in Bosnia.
“In 2018, Sean decided to move to Ukraine to use his previous experience and training in the Ukrainian military.
“Sean enjoyed the Ukrainian way of life and considered Ukraine his adopted country for the last four years. During this time, he met his Ukrainian wife, who is very focused on the country’s humanitarian needs.
Image: Aiden Aslin was also captured in Ukraine
The statement added: “He has advanced in the Ukrainian Marines as a proud member of his unit. At the end of 2022, his three-year contract expired and he planned to take on a humanitarian role in Ukraine.
“We would like to clarify that he is not a volunteer or a mercenary, but officially serves in the Ukrainian army in accordance with Ukrainian law.
They said “Sean is a funny, much-loved, well-meaning husband, son, father, brother and friend to many” and hoped that the two men who were captured would “soon return safely to their families”.
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Mr Piner told Sky News’s Stuart Ramsey in January that he had given up work in waste management in England after realizing he could no longer do 16-hour days and long journeys on the M25.
He managed to join the Ukrainian army due to his military experience after serving in the Royal British Regiment in the British Army for nine years.
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