Britons arrested by Russians want an exchange (Brussels)
Two Britons arrested in Ukraine approach their Prime Minister Boris Johnson to negotiate their release. They ask for exchange against the Ukrainian party Viktor Medvedchuk, which itself asks for soldiers and civilians in Mariupol.
The two inmates are identified as Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin. They launched an appeal on Russian television on Monday. The duo, who look tired, ask to be exchanged for Viktor Medvedtjoek. The latter has Ukrainian nationality but is a Putin ally. He was arrested last week. On the day of his arrest, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky proposed to exchange Medvedchuk for Ukrainian detainees in Russia. But that proposal was rejected by Moscow the next day.
The Ukrainian intelligence service SBU has released a video in which Medvedchuk himself calls for exchanges for soldiers and civilians in the besieged port city of Mariupol. “I would like to address Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, asking them to trade me between the defenders of Mariupol and residents of the city,” it said in an undated video.
Pinner, 48, a former enlisted member of the British army, says he was taken when he fought with the Ukrainian army in Mariupol. He claims to be in Donetsk. family, a statement in the British newspaper The Guardian to be that the man does indeed belong to the Ukrainian navy. Moved to his ‘adoptive country’ about four years ago, where he found a wife and home base. His family describes him as a destined, beloved man with good intentions. She makes every effort to ensure that Pinner and Aslin’s rights as prisoners of war are respected.
Prisoner Swap
It is not the first time that Ukraine and Russia have been carried out for the first time. The last time was at the end of last week’ Thirty Ukrainians who were in Russian captivity have been released, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk announced on Thursday.
“Five officers and 17 soldiers were exchanged,” Vereshchuk said on the social networking site Telegram. In addition, another civilian, including a woman, were eight to Kiev. ‘A total of thirty of our compatriots are returning home today.’
Vereshenyuk does not charge how many prisoners are caused to Russia. Moscow is not giving any information for the time being. In the previous prisoner exchange, on April 9, Russia had released a total of 26 Ukrainians: 12 soldiers and 14 civilians.
