Russian forces captured an ex-british soldier fighting in Ukraine. He was forced to produce a propaganda film.
Russian TV host Shaun Pinner asked the British government for help in brokering an exchange for Viktor Medvedchuk. A Vladimir Putin ally was detained in Ukraine. He was arrested last year and placed under house arrest. He managed to escape just days after the Russian invasion started in Ukraine but was ultimately captured by Ukraine.
“Mr. Boris Johnson. Obviously, I’m Shaun Pinner,”Pinner spoke in the video. “I am part of the 36 Brigade First Battalion Ukrainian Marines. A lot’s gone on over the last five or six weeks that I’m not fully aware of. Obviously I understand that Mr. Medvedchuk has been detained and we look to exchange myself and Aiden Aslin for Mr. Medvedchuk,”He said. Aslin, a British man captured by Russian forces while fighting in Ukraine, is also mentioned.
Pinner, 48 was captured in Mariupol. Mariupol has been nearly destroyed in fighting, and there are many bodies that have not been buried in the streets.
“Obviously I would really appreciate your help in this matter and pushing this agenda. Myself I’ve been treated well. Fully understand the situation that I’m in. We’ve been fed, watered and that’s all I can really say but I beg on my behalf and Aiden Aslin’s behalf for help us in an exchange for Mr. Medvedchuk,”He said.
Pinner hails originally from Bedfordshire in England but he was living in Donbas.
Aslin, 28, was the UK’s first known prisoner of the war and was also filmed for a propaganda video released last week on Russian television.
Pinner expressed concern about Russia’s possible capture, and told the Mail on Sunday, January. “I fear for my life. The Russians will treat us differently if we are captured because we are British. This is always on my mind, that I will be captured.”
He stated that he felt obliged to defend the home he now calls his own.
“I am here defending my family and adopted city,”He said. “Russia started this war. It’s funded by Russia and driven by Russia, but we will fight them, make no mistake about that.”
Dramatic images of a Russian warship have been released. Ukraine claims responsibility for its sinking using two Neptune missiles that can skim the sea. Russia claimed that the ship had been damaged by a fire before it was sunk in a storm.
Many of the 510 crewmembers are thought to have been killed. But, the Russian navy posted a Facebook post at the weekend that included the caption. “the commander-in-chief of the navy meets with the crew of the missile cruiser ‘Moskva.’”
Some believe the video is part of a Russian coverup. Another video shows relatives and friends of the crew creating a memorial in a Crimean harbor.
Putin’s pride in his achievements and reputation is being harmed by the loss. Putin used to enjoy showing the vessel to foreign officials.
