Five British nationals captured by Russian backed forces have been released and will safely return home to the UK, Prime Minister, Liz Truss announced last night. The British men were abducted in Ukraine and have been let go after months of captivity following a mediation governed by Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
Among the liberated hostages, is Aiden Aslin, who had previously been sentenced to death according to Health Minister, Robert Jenrick. The other Brits have been named as Shaun Pinner, Dylan Healy, Andrew Hill, and John Harding as well as two U.S. citizens, Andy Huynh, 27, and Alexander Drueke, 39 along with three other European men.
The group were seen arriving at Riyadh Airport on Wednesday evening following their release, the Mirror reports. Loved ones of the prisoners of war have shared their emotions following the news of the their freedom after months of living in a constant 'hell.'
Shaun's sister Cassandra told the MailOnline: "I am just so relieved that my brother and the others will be home tomorrow. It has been hell for everybody but at last the worrying can stop for us.
"We must not forget all that is still happening in Ukraine, but for now our families can celebrate that our boys are home!" In June, Aslin was one of two British men captured by Russian forces before they appeared before a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, a breakaway region in Ukraine's east.
Mr Jenrick tweeted: "I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released." At the time Aslin’s grandmother, Pamela Hall, said the family were exceptionally anxious about his situation: “There are no words, just no words. It’s got to be everyone’s worst nightmare to have a member of your family threatened in this way."
Liz Truss said on Twitter: "Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families. Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends."
It is thought the five Brits are among 10 prisoners who have arrived in Riyadh from Russia. Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reportedly been in contact with the Kremlin over the release of prisoners which included five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swede, one Croat, and two Americans.
The release comes after Vladimir Putin rushed through new laws which are likely to pave the way for mobilisation in Russia On Tuesday, Russia‘s parliament approved a bill to toughen punishments for crimes such as desertion, damage to military property and noncompliance if they are committed during military mobilisation or combat situations.
The bill, passed in its second and third readings on Tuesday by the Duma, comes as Russia seem poised to implement mobilisation, which would significantly escalate the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian parliament gave initial approval for introducing the concepts of ‘mobilisation’ and ‘wartime’ into the country’s Criminal Code.
This follows intense pressure on Putin from hardliners to declare war, instead of a special military operation as they have been calling it, and mobilise men of military age to join the army. “Judging by what is happening and what is about to happen, this week marks either the eve of our imminent victory or the eve of nuclear war,” leading propagandist Margarita Simonyan said.
According to a copy of the bill, seen by Reuters, voluntary surrender would become a crime for Russian military personnel, punishable by 10 years in prison. Failure to comply with an order during martial law will be punished by imprisonment for a term of two to three years.
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