Two British fighters captured in Ukraine by Russian forces appeared on Russian state television today and demanded to be exchanged for an ally of Vladimir Putin, known as the “Prince of Darkness”.
Sean Piner and Aidan Aslin spoke separately after being invited by an unidentified man to footage broadcast on the state-run Russia 24 television channel. It was not clear how freely the two men could speak.
Mr Piner, 48, a former British Royal soldier, was captured in Mariupol while fighting Ukrainian Marines, and Mr Aslin, 28, a native of Nottinghamshire, defended the besieged city before having to surrendered after running out of food and ammunition.
The two men asked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help bring them home in exchange for Ukraine’s release of pro-Russian politician and oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, whose close friend Putin is the godfather of his youngest daughter, Darina.
Mr Medvedchuk was featured in a video released at about the same time Monday by Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service, with a request to be exchanged as well.
In his appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, he demanded that he be replaced by defenders of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol and all civilians allowed to leave.
Viktor Medvedchuk is a key ally of Vladimir Putin and has been captured by Ukrainian forces
(via Reuters)
Both Mr Piner and Mr Aslin fought on the Ukrainian side in Mariupol, which is now almost entirely under Russian control.
The unidentified man, shown on Russian state television, was seen showing the two Britons a video on his mobile phone, in which Mr Medvedchuk’s wife, Oksana, called for her husband to be replaced by the two British nationals over the weekend.
Three days after Russia moved its forces to Ukraine on February 24, Ukrainian authorities said Medvedchuk had escaped from house arrest.
He was placed under house arrest in May 2021 and charged with treason and later aiding terrorism.
Sean Piner and Aiden Aslin (pictured) have been captured by Russian forces
(kazakgundi)
The pro-Russian figure denied any wrongdoing, but said: “I understand the situation.”
Mr Piner, who looked tired and nervous, said after the video was shown. “I would like to ask the government to take me home, I would like to see my wife again,” he said.
Mr Piner made a direct appeal to Mr Johnson on his own behalf and that of Mr Aslin. “We want to exchange ourselves and Aiden Aslin for Mr. Medvedchuk. “Obviously, I would really appreciate your help on this,” he said, adding that he spoke little Russian and was treated well.
This map shows the extent of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
(Images of the press association)
The unidentified man was then shown talking to Mr Aslin, who was sitting in a chair wearing a T-shirt with the emblem of the far-right Ukrainian Azov Battalion.
“I think Boris should listen to what Oksana is [Medvedchuk’s wife] said, “said Mr Aslin.
“If Boris Johnson is really interested in British citizens, as he says he is, then he will help.
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Additional Reuters reports
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