Two British fighters captured in Ukraine by Russian forces were shown on Russian state television at a request from Boris Johnson to help release them in a dramatic escalation of the propaganda war.
The footage shows Sean Piner and Aiden Aslin calling on the British prime minister to help release them in exchange for Ukraine’s release of pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk.
It is unclear how freely the two men can talk in the video, which was broadcast on state television Russia 24 on Monday.
At the same time as Russia broadcast footage of the two Britons, Ukraine’s foreign intelligence released a video of Medvedchuk, dubbed the “dark prince” of Ukrainian politics, who also wants to be exchanged.
In a call to Russian and Ukrainian leaders, Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky, Medvedchuk called for him to be replaced by defenders of the besieged city of Mariupol – where Piner and Aslin were based before their capture – and to allow all civilians to leave.
The footage marked a serious escalation of the propaganda war between Russia and Ukraine and was the first time that an exchange of prisoners between the two countries was publicly offered. The central involvement of two British fighters will put pressure on Johnson to intervene.
We contacted the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) for comment. The FCDO has been providing support to men’s families in recent days, but has limited opportunities to gather information or provide consular support on the ground in Ukraine.
The 48-year-old Piner looked exhausted in the latest heavily edited footage aired on Russian television. In a hushed voice, he said to the camera, “Mr. Boris Johnson. Apparently I’m Sean Pinner.
“A lot has happened in the last five or six weeks that I’m not fully aware of. I obviously understand that Mr Medvedchuk has been detained and we are looking to exchange ourselves and Aiden Aslin for Mr Medvedchuk.
“Obviously, I would really appreciate your help on this issue and the passage of this agenda. I was treated well. I fully understand the situation I am in. We were fed, watered and that is all I can really say, but I am asking on my behalf and on behalf of Aidan Aslin for help in exchange for Mr Medvedchuk.
The unidentified interviewer was then shown talking separately to 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 Aslin, who also looked nervous. “If Boris Johnson is really interested in British citizens, as he says he is, then he will help.
Piner and Aslin, 28, have looked tired and bruised since they were captured defending Mariupol last week.
Medvedchuk is a key ally of Putin. He was placed under house arrest last year on charges of treason and terrorist financing, which he denies.
He escaped a few days after the Russian invasion began in February, but was later captured by Ukraine.
In a video posted on Facebook by Ukraine’s SBU security service, Medvedchuk said he was “asking the Ukrainian side to exchange me for the defenders of Mariupol and its citizens, who are there today, unable to exit safely through a humanitarian corridor.” .
Piner, a former soldier in the Royal British Regiment, moved to Ukraine four years ago and considers it his adopted country, his family said in a statement Monday.
They said Piner had been a respected soldier in the British Army for many years and described him as “funny, much loved, well-meaning”.
They added: “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 with his Ukrainian wife, who is very focused on the country’s humanitarian needs. He advanced in the Ukrainian Marines as a proud member of his unit.
The statement continued: “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.
“Our family is currently working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the family of Aidan Aslin, who is also held by the Russian army to ensure that their rights as prisoners of war are respected under the Geneva Convention.
Piner’s family said they hoped for a quick solution that would allow the captured men to return to their families. “Our hearts are for all those involved in this terrible conflict.
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