The family of a Nottinghamshire man allegedly captured by Russian forces while fighting in the Ukrainian resistance have described footage of him in captivity as “propaganda”, as they begged Vladimir Putin to “treat him with humanity”. Images on Russian television appeared to show prisoner of war Aiden Aslin, 28, originally from Newark, being led around in handcuffs with a cut on his forehead.
Days earlier, comments posted on his Twitter account, which is being run by a friend while he is fighting with the Ukrainian marines, said he had “no choice but to surrender to Russian forces”. Footage shared on social media apparently showing Mr Aslin in captivity was allegedly broadcast on Russian state-controlled television channel RT, which was recently taken off air in the UK by broadcasting regulator Ofcom amid concerns it was peddling Kremlin propaganda.
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 grandmother, Pamela Hall, told the PA news agency: “It’s propaganda. Ukraine is his adopted country.
