The death sentences handed down from a pro-Russian court to British nationals fighting for Ukraine should be considered null and void, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman has said.
Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were found guilty of “mercenary activities” by a court in eastern Ukraine’s separatist regions.
“The so-called ‘trial’ of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the occupied Ukrainian territories is of no significance,” Oleh Nikolenko told the Interfax Ukraine agency.
“Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality; they undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war.
“The Ukrainian Government will continue to make every effort to release all the defenders of Ukraine.”
He stressed that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraine’s armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel, and protected as prisoners of war.
Russia is expected to use the death sentence handed down to the British men to intensify its push for a prisoner exchange with a close personal friend of Vladimir Putin.
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02:14 AM
Ukrainian army still a thorn in Russia’s side
The Ukrainian army has said Kyiv’s forces continue to frustrate Russian attempts to take the fiercely contested eastern city of Severodonetsk.
“The occupiers, with the help of motorised rifle units and artillery, conducted assault operations in the city of Severodonetsk. They were not successful; the fighting continues,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a regular operational update on Thursday evening.
It said Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled a Russian attack on the village of Toshkivka, on the northwestern outskirts of Severodonetsk.
The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, where Severodonetsk is located, said “fierce battles” continue to engulf the city.
In a Telegram post, Serhiy Haidai said Russian forces continued to shell the neighbouring city of Lysychansk using large-calibre weapons which “pierce even concrete”.
“It is extremely dangerous for civilians to remain, even in shelters,” Mr Haidai said.
01:46 AM
In pictures – trail of destruction continues
