The State Department is investigating reports that a British citizen has been detained by Russia after a video surfaced showing the interrogation of a man in camouflage.
In the video, which is alleged to have been shown on Russian television, the man appears to have given his name as Andrew Hill. He speaks with an English accent, has a hand in a sling, a bandage on his head, and blood on his arm.
The video, which has not been verified, has been shared online.
The Office for Foreign Affairs, Community and Development (FCDO) said it was urgently seeking more information and supporting family members.
“The FCDO condemns the exploitation of prisoners of war for political purposes and calls for all detainees to be treated humanely in accordance with the requirements of international humanitarian law,” it said.
Two other Britons, who are said to be volunteering for humanitarian aid, are also believed to have been detained in Ukraine by Russian forces.
Paul Yuri and Dylan Healy are believed to have been captured by Russian forces in Ukraine. Composite: Presidium network via PA / SWNS
The Presidium Network, a non-profit group, said Paul Yuri and Dylan Healy were captured early Monday morning at a checkpoint south of the city of Zaporozhye in southeastern Ukraine.
Yuri, who was born in 1977 and is from Manchester, and Healy, who was born in 2000 and from Cambridgeshire, are traveling to Ukraine of their own accord, the organization said.
They did not work for the network of the presidium, which helps to get help in Kyiv.
The organization said the two were driving to help a woman and two children evacuate when they disappeared.
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The Network Presidium said it was concerned that Russian forces might think the two men were British spies.
Meanwhile, in an intelligence update Saturday, the UK’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) said Russia was facing “significant challenges” and troops were likely to suffer from “weakened morale”.
Posting on Twitter, the Ministry of Defense said: “Russia hopes to correct the problems that previously limited its invasion by geographically concentrating combat power, shortening supply lines and simplifying command and control.
“Russia is still facing significant challenges. It was forced to merge and redistribute exhausted and disparate units from the failed attacks in northeastern Ukraine.
“Many of these units probably suffer from weakened morale.
“The shortcomings in Russian tactical coordination remain. The lack of unit-level skills and inconsistent air support have made Russia unable to make full use of its warhead, despite localized improvements.
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