Ukraine: Two British hostages ask Boris Johnson to be exchanged for a businessman

Two British nationals captured in Ukraine appeared on Russian television on Monday, calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to release them in exchange for the release of a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They were featured on Russian public television, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, two Britons, captured in Ukraine. It is unclear at this time whether they were captured by Russian or Ukrainian separatist forces in the east of the country.

In their message, which is addressed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the two British nationals call on him to exchange them for Viktor Medvedchuk, a wealthy Ukrainian businessman close to Vladimir Putin, who was arrested in Ukraine.

The head of the British government has been one of the most vehement Western leaders in his condemnations of Russia with the strongest support for Ukraine. He was also the first G7 leader to go to Ukraine since the start of the Russian offensive.

The two recordings are presented as interviews with journalist Andreï Roudenko, of the Russian public television (VGTRK). They are presented by the Russian media as pro-Ukrainian fighters who fought in Mariupol. The unit to which they belong reportedly surrendered last week to Russian forces.

The wife of the wealthy Ukrainian, Oksana Marchenko, appeared on screen in a video calling for her husband to be released against the release of the two Britons.