World

One of five Britons released in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap pictured back home with his family

Five Britons released from Russian detention in Ukraine after a prisoner swap have arrived back “safely” in the UK.

One of the men, Shaun Pinner, is now back at the family home near Sandy in Bedfordshire.

“It’s good to be home,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a steak dinner tonight!”

For his mother, Debbie Price, the relief is overwhelming.

She told Sky’s Emma Birchley: “It’s been a really, really hard time. We are just so happy to have him home. It’s hugely emotional.”

Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill have been identified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the other Britons released.

Russia ‘likely to struggle’ to mobilise 300,000 troops – Ukraine war latest

More on Ukraine

“We know that all are back safely in the UK now and looking forward to normality with their families after this horrific ordeal,” Presidium Network, a humanitarian crisis charity, said.

“Most of the families have asked for privacy while they normalise back in the UK.”

Once they landed, the men met government officials before being taken to their relatives, the non-profit organisation added.

Prior to their release, four of the men featured in video clips posted online or on Russian state TV.

On their flight home, Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner recorded a message, thanking those who had worked to free them.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

British POWs speak after release

“We’re now out of the danger zone and on our way home to our families,” said Mr Aslin.

“By the skin of our teeth,” Mr Pinner, who is from Bedfordshire, added.

Threatened to death by firing squad

In April, both men were captured by Russian forces who accused them of being mercenaries.

As a result, they appeared in court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, a breakaway region in eastern Ukraine, and were threatened with death by firing squad.

At the time, Mr Pinner’s family stressed he was “not a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially serving with the Ukrainian army”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Brits sentenced to death

In footage broadcast on Russian state TV in April, Mr Pinner said he had been fighting in the besieged port city of Mariupol for five to six weeks.

In the months before he appeared in court, he told Sky News he was on his fourth tour of duty in Ukraine after serving in the British Army for nine years.

The 48-year-old has been living in the country since 2018 and has a Ukrainian wife.

After the news broke the Britons would be returning to the UK, Prime Minister Liz Truss said she “hugely welcomed” the move, adding it would end “months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families”.

Shaun Pinner (centre) and Aiden Aslin (right). John Harding has his thumb up
Image:
Shaun Pinner (centre) and Aiden Aslin (right). John Harding has his thumb up

Who else was released?

Almost 300 people were released in the prisoner swap, many of them from the Ukrainian Azov regiment, which gained fame for its defence of the final stronghold in Mariupol.

Mr Harding was among the small group of soldiers who were holed up inside the Azovstal steelworks in the southeastern city.

Ten other foreigners have been released to Saudi Arabia before they return home, including Moroccan Brahim Saadoun, Americans Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, a Croatian, and a Swedish national.

Five British POWs have been freed after being held by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. Pic: SPA - Saudi Press Agency
Image:
Almost 300 people were freed after being held by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. Pic: SPA – Saudi Press Agency

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian.

“This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy.”

The exchange took place unexpectedly, coming as Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons.

It was brokered with help from Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has close ties with Mr Putin.