The Russian government said yesterday that two Americans detained in Ukraine while fighting on the Ukrainian side of the war are “mercenaries” who endanger the lives of Russian military personnel and should be held accountable for their actions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s comment marks the first official admission that two men identified in US news as Andy Huynh, 27, from Hartselle, Alabama, and Alexander Drueke, 39, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, have been detained and are under investigation. .
“They are fortunate soldiers. They engaged in illegal activities on the territory of Ukraine. They took part in the shooting and bombing of our army. They were risking their lives,” Peskov said. said.
Dmitry also denied that the idea of the death penalty for both could be dismissed. “We can’t rule out anything, because it’s a court decision. We never comment on these and above all we have no right to interfere,” he said.
“They must be held accountable for their crimes. These crimes need to be investigated. The only thing certain is that they committed crimes. They are not in the Ukrainian army. They are not subject to the Geneva Convention.” He continued by referring to the international agreement that stipulated different punishments for prisoners of war.
Family members said last week that the two went to Ukraine as volunteer fighters and disappeared. Russian media released footage of him fighting for Ukraine last week.
Peskov did not disclose where the men were being held, but Russian news agency Interfax said today that the Americans were in the pro-Russian city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, according to a government source.
*With information from Reuters
source: Noticias
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