Two British fighter jets captured by Moscow troops in Ukraine appeared on Russian state television and asked to exchange for pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk.
it was unclear how freely together men – Sean Pinner and Aiden Eslin – were able to talk.
Both spoke separately after being prompted by an unknown man. in footage broadcast on State TV channel Russia 24.
Two men asked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson help bring them home in exchange for Ukraine frees captive oligarch Medvedchuk, who it was shown in video released around the same time on On Monday, the special service of the SBU of Ukraine also asks for an exchange.
Families of Mr Pinner and Ms Aslin said the British citizens were not mercenaries. soldiers or volunteers and should so treat them like prisoners of war in conformity with Geneva Convention.
Mr Pinner, former British army soldier looked tired in video on Russian state television, as he said, he was captured in Mariupol during the fighting with Ukrainian marines.
48-year-old added that he fought in besieged city for five to six weeks but now in separation region of Donetsk.
AT second heavily edited video mr pinner, who originally from Bedfordshire, was apparently questioned by a Russian journalist about how he was captured.
He replied: “We were in factory area of Mariupol.
“At the beginning hours of On Tuesday morning it was decided that we move from area of factory, but we are not know exactly where.
“About four in in the morning we left factory.”
According to him, “there was little time for reflection.”
Then a Russian reporter appeared to tell Mr. Pinner that his Ukrainian commanders wanted kill him.
Mr Pinner spoke of his fear of capture in January, telling the Mail on Sunday: “I’m afraid for my life. Russians will treat us otherwise, if we are captured, because we are British. It’s always on my mind that I’ll be captivated.”
In a statement released by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) after his release, Mr Pinner family explained how he became involved in protection of Ukraine, which they say he considers “his adopted country”.
The statement said: “Sean was a respected soldier in the British Army who served in in Royal English Regiment for many years. He served in many tours including Northern Ireland and with United Nations in Bosnia.
“In 2018, Sean decided to move to Ukraine to use his previous experience and training in Ukraine military.
“Sean enjoyed Ukrainian way of life and considered Ukraine his adopted country over in last four years. During this time he met his Ukrainian wife, who very focused on humanitarian needs of the country.
“He joined the Ukrainian Marine Corps as a proud member of his division.
The statement continued: “We would like to do this clear he is not a volunteer or a mercenary, but officially serves with Ukrainian army in conformity with Ukrainian legislation.
Mr. Eslin was filmed being driven around in handcuffs with a cut on his forehead after surrendering to the Russians military in Mariupol last week.
28-year-old from Nottinghamshire, defended Mariupol with his unit during heavy fighting in last weeks before giving up after 48 days.
“We don’t have food or ammunition,” post on his Twitter account, which was run friend while he was fighting with Ukrainian Marines, read.
Mr Aslin’s grandmother told the video on Russian television shows him saying that Ukraine is not doing the “right thing”. decisions”It was ‘propaganda’.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in contact with families of Mr Pinner and Mr Aslin and supporting them.
However, UK ability To obtain information and provide consular services on area is very limited because of conflict.
Meanwhile, Mr. Medvedchuk, in his appeal to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with a request for an exchange for defenders of Ukrainian city of Mariupol and any civilians were allowed to leave the territory.
The captured politician is the leader of Opposition platform – For life party and is an ally of Insert.
it was unclear how the captured politician spoke fluently in video.
Mr. Medvedchuk said he was doing “plea for Ukrainian side exchange me for defenders of Mariupol and its inhabitants who there is no possibility today for safe exit through the humanitarian corridor.”
He was placed under house arrest last year to face allegations of treason and terrorist financing, which he denies.
Mr Medvedchuk fled days after the Russian invasion started in February, but was later captured by Ukraine.
