The family of a Nottinghamshire man who is being held as a prisoner of war in Russia say their lives "have been turned upside down". Aiden Aslin, 28, is originally from Newark but moved to Ukraine in 2018 where he met his girlfriend before joining the marines.
Footage on Russian state TV shows him being led around in handcuffs with a cut on his forehead, having been captured by Russian forces. Speaking dispassionately and slowly, in broken sentences, he says: “I fought in beginning, Ukraine was good side. But then eventually I see they don’t make right decisions that would end war.”
His family say he is not a volunteer or a spy, contrary to what has been said by the Kremlin, and that he has been speaking under duress. They have labelled the footage as "deeply disturbing" in a statement released by their local MP Robert Jenrick. He has been described as a "much-loved young man" who has a lot of friends and wanted to play his part in defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
Read more: Mother of Notts man ‘detained by Russians’ calls for his release
The family have said: “In 2018 Aiden moved to Ukraine where he met his girlfriend and eventually settled down in Mykolaiv. Aiden decided to join the Ukrainian Marines and has served in his unit for nearly four years. He is not, contrary to the Kremlin’s propaganda, a volunteer, a mercenary, or a spy.
"Aiden was making plans for his future outside the military but, like all Ukrainians, his life was turned upside down by Putin’s barbarous invasion. He has played his part in defending Ukraine’s right to self-determination. The video of Aiden speaking under duress and having clearly suffered physical injuries is deeply distressing.
"Using images and videos of prisoners of war is in contravention of the Geneva Convention and must stop. Together with the family of Shaun Pinner (the second Britain captured in Mariupol), we are in contact with the Foreign Office to ensure the Russian authorities meet their obligations to prisoners of war under international law, and ultimately to secure the release of Aiden and Shaun.
"Aiden is a much-loved young man with a strong network of friends around him and a loving wife-to-be. In this difficult time, we urge you to respect the privacy of our family.”
It comes as the Daily Mail reports that his wife Diane Aslin is planning to return to England to be closer to his family, currently residing in Hungary.
Talking about Diane, Mr Wood said: "She is currently in Hungary, exactly whereabouts I don't know, but she fled Ukraine pretty much when the invasion happened. She is safe but the plan is now for her to fly to the UK soon and set up home here.
"I think a property is being made available for Diane while we await further news from Aiden. He has stated his wish on the video clip this morning for him and Diane to build a life in Britain. There's nothing I want more than to have him home."
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