Russia’s propaganda machine has openly mocked Brits sentenced to death on live broadcasts to millions of viewers.
Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were last week convicted of taking action towards violent seizure of power at a show trial in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
They, along with Moroccan Sadun Brahim, 21, have been warned they face the death penalty, with a firing squad rumoured to be preparing to take their lives.
Another British detainee Andrew Hill, 35, a father of four from Plymouth, has also been warned to expect the punishment when his verdict is handed down
The Kremlin’s propaganda machine has openly gloated about the shocking result at the sham trial, which was condemned by world leaders and organisations.
RT reporter Roman Kosarev told Russian state TV that Aslin and Pinner “were simply writhing like eels trying to defend themselves somehow”.
Footage was shown of Pinner dancing in military fatigues before his surrender to the pro-Putin forces in Mariupol.
Troika Telegram channel vindictively posted the dancing footage with the caption: “Shaun Pinner when he learnt he would be hanged in a square in Donetsk.”
Their hopes for leniency have been dashed as the man responsible for hearing their pardon pleas has indicated he believes the men deserve to die.
Putin stooge Denis Pushilin, head of puppet Donetsk People’s Republic puppet state, was quoted saying putting the men to death was “just punishment”.
Meanwhile Russian state TV anchorwoman Olga Skabeyeva - known as Putin’s “Iron Doll” - claimed Secretary of State Liz Truss faces problems as it was on her “orders” the Brits went to fight for Ukraine.
She told viewers: “London aims to work on freeing Pinner and Aslin, but they don’t know how to do it.
“ Liz Truss, the head of the Foreign Office, called the sentence illegal and promised to pull the Englishmen out — and do it via Kyiv. Good luck, Liz.
“The British Government also said they were deeply concerned by the DPR issuing death sentences. Boris Johnson ’s representative even remembered - out of the blue! - some Geneva Conventions and combatants’ immunity.
“As if the Brits should not stand trial for taking part in a safari [killing] Russians.…
“And a separate question to tank driver Liz Truss, who says she would do everything to bring the Brits back…but on 27 February, Liz Truss called on all interested Brits to sign up as volunteers to the Ukrainian front.
"While right now Liz Truss can’t even find time to see the families of those who were sentenced in Donetsk, and who fought on her orders.”
Truss - loathed by the Kremlin for her forthright demands for the West to arm Ukraine, and being pictured on a British tank close to the Russian border - was also blasted by leading propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, another TV host known as ‘Putin’s Voice’.
He interviewed the so-called DPR’s “foreign minister” Natalia Nikonorova.
She alleged the British men had come to Ukraine to kill people “for money”, and this is why they were sentenced to death.
Previously the ex-UK army comrade of a Mr Pinner branded the 'disgraceful' judgement a war crim e.
Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan is a former comrade of Mr Pinner’s as they served in the same Royal Anglian Regiment together.
"This is disgraceful and I utterly condemn it.
“Shaun is a soldier and should be treated as such.
“This decision is a war crime and contravenes the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war.”
