The family of a British man sentenced to death by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine has said she is “devastated and saddened” by the outcome of the “illegal trial”.
Shaun Pinner was captured in Mariupol in April alongside his fellow British Aiden Aslin during the intense struggle for control of the port city.
The couple were found guilty of “mercenary activities and actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” although their families say they were legitimately fighting as part of the Ukrainian army and should be treated as prisoners of war. .
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Boris Johnson was said to be “horrified” by the sentences handed down to the men and has ordered ministers to do “everything in their power” to secure their freedom.
It comes as war rages on Ukraine and fierce fighting continues in the key city of Severodonetsk.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the world is facing “an acute and severe food crisis and famine.”
Image: Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin in Ukraine
“Our family misses him so much”
In a statement, Mr Pinner’s family said: “First of all, our whole family is devastated and saddened by the outcome of the illegal trial by the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic.
“As a resident of Ukraine for more than four years and hired in the Navy for the 36th Brigade, of which he is very proud, Shaun should be granted all the rights of a prisoner of war accordingly. with the Geneva Convention and including independent legal representation.
“We sincerely hope that all parties will cooperate urgently to ensure the safe release or exchange of Shaun.
“Our family, including his son and his Ukrainian wife, love him and we miss him very much and our heart is with all the families involved in this terrible situation.”
Explanator: Why are two Britons facing the death penalty?
A No. 10 spokesman said the prime minister “has been following the case closely and has asked ministers to do everything in their power to try to reunite them with their families as soon as we can.”
“You are not abandoned and you will not be abandoned”
The call of Mr. Johnson arrived when Diana Okovyta, Mr.’s girlfriend. Aslin was traveling to London to try to campaign for his release.
And in an emotional post on social media, he assured his partner that he was not “abandoned.”
She said, “How I wish you knew you weren’t forgotten, you’re not alone, you’re not abandoned, and you’re not going to be abandoned.
“I hope that in the depths of your soul you know and feel it anyway. I think we’ll see pictures of you smiling in the newspapers soon.”
The United Kingdom has not announced any plans to speak with Russian officials.
Read more: Stuart Ramsay of Sky remembers meeting of British convicts on the front lines
Key developments:
- Boris Johnson has been “dismayed” by the death sentences of the British
- ‘Intense street-to-street fights’ in Severodonetsk
- Zelensky’s famine alert on Russian blockade
Intense fighting in Severodonetsk as the battle for Luhansk continues
Heavy fighting continues in southern and eastern Ukraine as Russian forces try to take full control of the Luhansk region.
The city of Severodonetsk, seen as a key target for Moscow and the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in the region, has suffered “intense street-to-street fighting,” British intelligence said.
The United Kingdom Ministry of Defense (MoD) said: “Russia is accumulating fire with its artillery and air capabilities, in an attempt to overwhelm Ukraine’s defenses.”
He also said that Moscow is using 5.5-ton anti-ship missiles from the 1960s against ground targets.
“Russia is likely to be resorting to such inefficient weapons systems because it lacks more accurate modern missiles, while Ukraine’s air defenses are still preventing its tactical aircraft from attacking much of the country,” the ministry said. Defense.
Image: A Ukrainian tank is in position during the fighting on the Severodonetsk front. Image: AP
The world faces the risk of “acute and severe food crisis,” says Zelenskyy
President Zelenskyi said stopping the Russian invasion was crucial for everyone, as he warned of the risk of starvation.
“It is on the battlefields of Ukraine where the future rules of this world are decided along with the limits of what is possible,” he said at a video event in Singapore.
He noted that Russia is blocking ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, keeping Ukrainian food exports from the world market.
“If … because of the Russian blockades we cannot export our food products, the world will face an acute and severe food crisis and famine in many countries in Asia and Africa,” he said.