Why are they our responsibility?
Two British fighters being held by Russian forces after being captured in Ukraine could face show trials and years-long prison sentences unless Prime Minister Boris Johnson brokers an exchange for a Kremlin crony.
Russian state TV made the explicit threat after Shaun Pinner, 48, and Aiden Aslin, 28, were paraded on Moscow-controlled television following their capture.
It was implied they could be jailed in Russia for years before being allowed home.
Pinner and Aslin, who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines, were captured by Putin‘s troops in the city of Mariupol last week and dragged on state TV to ask Johnson to intervene with President Volodymyr Zelensky to ensure a prisoner swap for Kremlin ally Viktor Medvedchuk.
This is all the usual bluster following which, there will be a prisoner swap. But the question remains, why are these two the responsibility of the UK government? Why should we be involved at all? They made a choice and that choice carried risks – either getting killed in action or being taken prisoner. They made their bed, they should lie in it.
I am aware that one of the two has dual citizenship and was serving as a member of the Ukraine armed forces, so is not a mercenary. However, the same point stands. He is the responsibility of the Ukraine government, not ours.
Quite agree LR.
Sure, all very commendable, fighting for your adopted home and what not, but the Russians aren’t exactly known for their love on foreign mercenaries (justifiable or not), so this outcome was pretty much guaranteed. My only surprise is that there’s only 2 of them. I’d have thought there would have been more. Then again, the wars not exactly been going to plan…
I don’t think that there are that many in the field, despite the hyperbole of a few weeks ago.
Mostly because the idiots who went and tried to flee were shot or jailed for cowardise. They signed up to fight to the death
Not our reponsibility, they’re same as those who joined ISIS or Kurds
I commend these chaps for going out there and fighting, I truly do. But that does mean accepting the associated risks, such as getting killed, maimed or captured. And whilst I really do wish them well, they are indeed the responsibility of the Ukrainian government now, not the British,