VILE SPECTACLE
Russians taunt captured hero Brit fighter telling him Ukrainians wanted him DEAD in sick propaganda stunt
A CAPTURED British fighter in Ukraine has been taunted by Russians who told him his comrades wanted him dead as a martyr.
Former British Army soldier Shaun Pinner, 48, was paraded for the second time in a TV interview in which he was told his death could be used to make him a hero for Ukraine.
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Shaun is the second British fighter to be paraded by Russian forces after being captured in Mariupol, following Aiden Aslin.
The video was part of an interview with pro-Kremlin journalist Andrey Rudenko, who works closely with the Russian state TV.
Rudenko told an exhausted-looking Shaun that his unit didn't "have a single chance" to reach safety.
“The servicemen of the 36th brigade say their command specially sent them to be killed in order to make heroes out of them later,” Rudenko told Shaun.
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Shaun's words were not audible in the report.
But he is quoted in Russian subtitles as saying: “I had no idea, we were abandoned. "I do not know who took such a decision."
In another clip suggesting he is caught up in Russia’s propaganda campaign against Ukraine and the west, he reportedly said that “he doesn't want war and wants to go home”.
According to the broadcast, Shaun told Rudenko there was “panic” among Ukrainian soldiers defending the factory area of Mariupol on Tuesday morning.
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“It was decided we move from the factory, but we did not know exactly where. At about 4am we left the factory,” he was quoted as saying.
“It was very dark. We took the injured with us. Everyone started running in different directions.
“My commander seems to have disappeared. I still don't know what happened to those who were there with me.”
Shaun, who previously served in the Royal Anglian Regiment, is originally from Bedfordshire.
He moved to Ukraine four years ago, married his second wife Larysa and joined the Ukrainian Army as a "contract soldier".
Shaun was previously videoed fighting alongside the Ukrainians at the start of the war.
Russian propagandists falsely claimed he had been killed in Mariupol at the end of last month, but sources told The Sun he had been injured and was in a field hospital.
'Much-loved husband and friend'
Tonight Shaun's family said they hoped he and Aiden would soon be released in a statement issued through the Foreign Office.
They said: "Shaun is a funny, much loved well intentioned husband, son, father, brother and friend to many.
"We would like to make it clear he is not a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially serving with the Ukrainian Army in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.
"Our family is currently working with the Foreign Office along with the family of Aiden Aslin who is also being held by the Russian Army to ensure their rights as Prisoners of War are upheld according to the Geneva Convention.
"We are hoping for a quick resolution to allow Shaun and Aiden to return safely to their families and we ask for privacy at this difficult time.
"Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this horrific conflict."
Rudenko also interrogated Aiden, who surrendered after his unit ran out of food and ammunition in the city.
Former care worker Aiden, from Newark, Notts, was humiliated by state media as he was pictured for the first time handcuffed, battered and bruised.
The 28-year-old was paraded on Russian TV on Thursday after he was captured by Putin's troops, with a gash across his forehead and an eye half-closed.
It comes as the wife of a Vladimir Putin crony arrested in Ukraine called for him to be swapped with Aiden and Shaun.
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Viktor Medvedchuk, 67, was snatched in a raid by spooks from Ukraine's security service, while 28-year-old Aidan was fighting in Mariupol.
Medvedchuk’s wife Oxana Marchenko has now made a video address calling for her husband and Aidan to be swapped.
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In a chilling warning Rudenklo said: "I am sure that he will be able to shed light on the actions of Western intelligence agencies in Ukraine."
The Foreign and Commonwealth office has been approached for comment/
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