Mr Healy was initially detained along with fellow volunteer Paul Urie, 45, both accused of spying.
Mr Yuri appeared on Russian television in handcuffs on May 5 and made what appeared to be a scripted statement in which he called the British government “corrupt”.
Ukrainian officials have already said they will try to get Mr. Aslin and Mr. Pinner involved in a prisoner swap in exchange for Russian prisoners held by Kyiv.
It is believed that the death penalty imposed on British detainees was intended mainly as a shock tactic to maximize their value as bargaining chips.
The sentences could easily be overturned by Moscow, which holds sway over the rulers of the Donetsk People’s Republic and has observed a moratorium on the death penalty since 1996.
This would allow the Kremlin to be seen as showing leniency, strengthening its hand in any prisoner exchange negotiations.
Two former US servicemen, Alexander Drucke and Andy Huynh, are also being held in the Donetsk People’s Republic after being captured during fighting near the northeastern city of Kharkiv last month.
Mr Drueke’s family said last week that his captors had contacted the US State Department to say they wanted to open negotiations for his release.
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