Aiden “Johnny” Aslin, 28, of Newark, Nottinghamshire, previously fought against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria before relocating to Ukraine in 2018 to serve in the country’s marines. His mother told the BBC that her son is a “hero” to her and that “Boris [Johnson] needs to bring [Vladimir] Putin down.” She told The Telegraph that because Aiden is still a British citizen, the British government should intervene and aid obtain his release. She went on, saying: “I’m in shambles. My youngster, like us, will be terrified.” A pro-Russian Twitter account uploaded the photograph, which showed Mr Aslin with a cut on his skull and a bulging eye. The caption was as follows: “Aslin, Aiden Nottingham, United Kingdom. An English mercenary who fought on the Nazi side at Mariupol. Many others misplaced it, but we discovered it. An fascinating interview will be posted soon.” Mr Aslin claimed yesterday that his battalion was forced to surrender after running out of food and ammunition in Mariupol, the country’s most beleaguered city in southeastern Ukraine.
Briton held hostage by Russia to be paraded on state TV as Putin aides gloat at Boris plea
Aiden Aslin, a British soldier who has been fighting with Ukrainian troops in the beleaguered city of Mariupol, is set to be displayed on Russian television after being apprehended earlier this week.
He is shown in the disturbing video wearing shackles, with face bruises and a major laceration to his head. According to the narrator, he was “an English mercenary who fought on the side of the Nazis in Mariupol.” “Many lost him, but we found him,” it continues. “A fascinating interview is on the way.”
Andrey Rudenko, a well-known state television journalist, encouraged the interview.
Ang Wood, Mr Aslin’s mother from Balderton in Nottinghamshire, claimed she recognised her son by his unique ‘Happy Days’ tattoos.
She elaborated: “Aiden here. It’s impossible for me to deny. He’s the one. They are tattoos on his body. There’s a slim chance it’s a doctored photograph, but I can’t see it.
“I am now holding Vladimir Putin accountable to the norms of the Geneva Convention. Aiden is a serving member of Ukraine’s armed forces, and as such, he is a prisoner of war who must be treated humanely.
