Russian state tv confirmed video Friday of two U.S. navy veterans who went lacking final week whereas combating in Ukraine, confirming that the lads have been taken captive and elevating fears about their destiny.
Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, each from Alabama, have been believed to be the primary Individuals captured by Russian forces because the conflict started on Feb. 24.
Drueke, talking into the digicam from what gave the impression to be an workplace, despatched a message to his mom, concluding with a fast wink.
“Mother, I simply need to let you understand that I’m alive and I hope to be again dwelling as quickly as I may be. So, love Diesel for me. Love you.” Diesel is his canine, a mastiff.
His aunt, Dianna Shaw, mentioned the video included each a key phrase and a gesture that Drueke and his mom had arrange throughout certainly one of his two excursions in Iraq so she would know that it was certainly him and that he was OK.
Drueke, who served within the U.S. Army, and Huynh, who served within the U.S. Marines, went lacking after their group got here underneath heavy fireplace within the northeastern Kharkiv area on June 9.
Citing Drueke, the RT tv report mentioned the Individuals grew to become separated from the others and as soon as it was secure they set off via the woods, ending up in a village the place they have been approached by a Russian patrol and surrendered.
RT, which broadcasts in English, mentioned they have been being held by Russian-backed separatist forces within the Donbas area of japanese Ukraine.
Three different foreigners combating for Ukraine, two Britons and a Moroccan man, have been sentenced to loss of life by a court docket run by separatists in Donetsk, which is within the Donbas.
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The U.S. has insisted that anybody captured needs to be thought-about a prisoner of conflict and guarded by ensures of humane remedy and truthful trials. However the Russian navy has mentioned it considers foreigners combating with Ukraine to be mercenaries and claims they aren’t protected as combatants underneath the Geneva Conventions.
A reporter for the Russian state tv community VGTRK recorded brief clips of the 2 males talking Russian and saying, “I’m towards conflict.”
There was no official affirmation from the U.S. or Russian authorities that the Individuals have been being held.
The State Division mentioned earlier this week that it was wanting into experiences that Russian or Russian-backed forces had captured two Americans. It additionally reiterated its warning that Individuals shouldn’t be going to Ukraine to struggle, a message repeated Friday by President Joe Biden.
Requested concerning the lacking Individuals earlier than the Russian movies appeared, Biden mentioned he had been briefed on the state of affairs however offered no additional particulars.
“I don’t know the place they’re and I need to be clear: Individuals shouldn’t be going to Ukraine,” Biden mentioned. “I’ll say it once more, Individuals shouldn’t be going to Ukraine.”
