The Russian government on Wednesday endorsed the execution of three foreign militants in Donetsk, a pro-Russian separatist republic in eastern Ukraine, as an “example” for other “mercenaries” to refrain from joining Russian forces.
Such harsh punishment is a clear example of all the remaining mercenaries who will fight on the side of the Ukrainian neo-Nazis or intend to join them, ”said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
A Russian spokesman insisted Two British and one Moroccan convicts fighting with Ukrainian troops, “Crimes against Donbass citizens”.
Three prisoners – Aidan Aslin, Shawn Binn and Saudun Brahim – were in custody last week. Self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Mercenary and Terrorism Inquired by Donetsk CourtAfter the capture of the Mariupol area.
Although the prisoners pleaded guilty at the trial, None of them admitted to participating in military operations as a mercenary in Ukraine.
The two Brits, aged 28 and 48, have been living in Ukrainian territory since 2018, both of whom were part of the Ukrainian military before the outbreak of war.
According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the perpetrators will face a firing squad and have a month to appeal the sentence.
