Russian TV shows videos of 2 Alabama military veterans captured in Ukraine

Russian state tv confirmed video Friday of two U.S. navy veterans who went lacking final week whereas preventing in Ukraine, confirming that the boys have been taken captive and elevating fears about their destiny.

Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, each from Alabama, have been believed to be the primary Individuals captured by Russian forces because the warfare started on Feb. 24.

Drueke, talking into the digital camera from what gave the impression to be an workplace, despatched a message to his mom, concluding with a fast wink.

“Mother, I simply need to let you recognize that I’m alive and I hope to be again residence as quickly as I may be. So, love Diesel for me. Love you.” Diesel is his canine, a mastiff.

His aunt, Dianna Shaw, mentioned the video included each a key phrase and a gesture that Drueke and his mom had arrange throughout considered one of his two excursions in Iraq so she would know that it was certainly him and that he was OK.

Drueke, who served within the U.S. Military, and Huynh, who served within the U.S. Marines, went lacking after their group got here beneath heavy fireplace within the northeastern Kharkiv area on June 9.

Citing Drueke, the RT tv report mentioned the Individuals turned separated from the others and as soon as it was secure they set off by means of the woods, ending up in a village the place they have been approached by a Russian patrol and surrendered.

RT, which broadcasts in English, mentioned they have been being held by Russian-backed separatist forces within the Donbas area of japanese Ukraine.

Three different foreigners preventing for Ukraine, two Britons and a Moroccan man, have been sentenced to demise by a courtroom run by separatists in Donetsk, which is within the Donbas.

The U.S. has insisted that anybody captured ought to be thought-about a prisoner of warfare and guarded by ensures of humane remedy and truthful trials. However the Russian navy has mentioned it considers foreigners preventing with Ukraine to be mercenaries and claims they aren’t protected as combatants beneath the Geneva Conventions.

A reporter for the Russian state tv community VGTRK recorded brief clips of the 2 males talking Russian and saying, “I’m in opposition to warfare.”

There was no official affirmation from the U.S. or Russian authorities that the Individuals have been being held.

The State Division mentioned earlier this week that it was wanting into reviews that Russian or Russian-backed forces had captured two Americans. It additionally reiterated its warning that Individuals shouldn’t be going to Ukraine to battle, a message repeated Friday by President Joe Biden.

Requested concerning the lacking Individuals earlier than the Russian movies appeared, Biden mentioned he had been briefed on the scenario however offered no additional particulars.

“I don’t know the place they’re and I need to be clear: Individuals shouldn’t be going to Ukraine,” Biden mentioned. “I’ll say it once more, Individuals shouldn’t be going to Ukraine.”