US citizens Alexander John-Robert Druke, 39, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, 27, from Hartsell, Alabama, were interviewed by the Russian RT channel in detention center in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on On Friday, according to the published report on RT.
Short videos surfaced on Friday on pro-Russian channels and social media appearance show in men detained in unknown location. At that time there was no clear who kept them.
This was reported to CNN by a State Department spokesman. on On Friday they “saw photos and video of these two US citizens were reportedly captured by Russian military strength in Ukraine” and “closely followed the situation.”
“We in contact with Ukrainian authorities, International Committee of Red Cross and with the families themselves,” they continued. – For privacy reasons, we no longer have comment on these things.”
Separately, and more over 50 minutes of edited video posted on Saturday of Druke and Huynh are interviewed by HelmCast, a pro-Russian Serbian nationalist YouTube channel.
In an interview, a person can be heard behind in camera detection location of their interview when says”here in Donetsk” during the question to Dryuke.
Druke also asked in interview if he has any objection to how he has been treated since capture and he reveals that he was beaten.
CNN prefers not broadcast video of US prisoners because they show in men speak under pressure.
Regarding development
location of Druke and Huyin detention potentially concerns development. There is a moratorium in Russia on in death penalty while Donetsk uses firing squads for the execution of convicts, according to the Russian state media RIA News.
hopes that prisoner exchange between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists could release any detained foreign fighters in Donetsk seems to have rushed after the self-proclaimed Denis Pushilin. head of The DNR stated that such exchanges out of question.
“Exchange of British men Sentenced to death in DPR is not discussed, there are no grounds for pardon them,” Pushilin told the independent Russian investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta. on Thursday.
Donetsk People’s Republic did not immediately respond to a request for comment on in detention of Druke and Huynh.
An ex-soldier describes battle
Speaking exclusively to CNN’s Sam Keely, former US soldier fighting with The Ukrainian security forces told battle he was a witness on June 9, when Huyin and Druke were allegedly captured.
That man, who asked to identify with codename “Pip”, said it team was sent out on a mission East of Kharkov, where a large-scale Russian armored attack was going on.
Huyin and Dryuke firing RPGs at infantry fighting vehicles vehicle – it went through the forest and destroyed this, according to Pip. But team I had to quickly retreat, because. more more than 100 Russian infantrymen launched an offensive, and American fighters found themselves in the village they used to think in Ukrainian hands.
When asked about what happened to Huynh and Dryuke, Peep said “we suspect they were knocked down”. out either by a T-72 tank firing at them, or by an explosion of mine. This is just a guess, we don’t know what really happened to them.
“There were about a hundred-odd infantrymen advancing on our positions. We had a T-72 firing on people from 30, 40 meters,” he said.
A photo of two men appeared on Thursday with their hands are tied behind them and in in back of Russian truck. The undated photo was posted on Telegram on Thursday Russian blogger. CNN was unable to independently verify when the photo was taken.
Third American missing
last the time Heesung Kim and other close friends heard about Kurpasi between April 23rd and 24th, George Heath, family friend of Kurpasi told CNN about this. Kurpasi served in United States Marine Corps for 20 years old, retired in November 2021. He decided to volunteer with the Ukrainians. in Ukraine, but initially did not imagine himself fighting on Front line of war, Heath said.
“We are not know where are they, but I want repeat: americans should don’t go to Ukraine now,” Biden said. in answer to a question by M.J. Lee from CNN at the White House.
CNN’s Sara El Sirgani, Maya-Lisa Elinger, Ellie Kaufman, Michael Conte, Jennifer Hansler, Keith Sullivan and Mick Crever contributed to the story.
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