Three of them have been identified as Aiden Aslin, John Harding and Shaun Pinner, who were captured by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in April. In a personal message recorded on their flight home, Mr Ashlin and Pinner thanked those who had worked to free them. “We are now out of the danger zone and going home to our families,” Mr Ashlin said. “By the skin of our teeth,” Mr Pinner added. Mr Aslin continued: “We just want everyone to know the good news. Thanks to everyone who supported us. It’s really appreciated.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:36 British POWs speak out after release Read more: Liz Truss condemns Vladimir Putin’s ‘disastrous failure’ at UN address The hammering of Azovstal – pictures speak a thousand words Most of those freed are Ukrainians, many of them from the Azov regiment, which became famous for its stubborn defense of the southeastern city of Mariupol. For months the small group of soldiers, including John Harding, along with some civilians, were holed up in the Azovstal steelworks, with very little food, medicine, ammunition or electricity. They were finally delivered in May. In addition to the British, the 10 foreigners released include Moroccan Brahim Saadoun, Americans Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, a Croatian and a Swedish national. They were taken to Saudi Arabia, while many of the Ukrainians were taken back to Ukraine. The prisoner swap was made with the help of Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It appeared to come as a surprise to many as Mr Putin raised the stakes in the war by threatening to use nuclear weapons. Read more: Family returned to bombed home – and find pet cat alive Video shows ‘last minutes’ of young girl killed in Russian attack Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. “This is the concept of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy.” Zelensky said the most difficult negotiations involved the release of five senior Ukrainian commanders, including Lt. Col. Denis Prokopenko, commander of the Azov battalion, his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar and Serhiy Volynsky, commander of the 36th Marine Brigade. The three were the leaders of the resistance in Mariupol and now they, and the other two who have not been named, will remain in Turkey until the end of the war, Mr. Zelensky said. As part of the deal, Ukraine sent back 55 pro-Moscow Russians and Ukrainians, including Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of a banned pro-Russian party who faced treason charges. Mr Medvedchuk considers Mr Putin a close friend – so close that he chose the Russian leader to be godfather to one of his daughters.
