US State Dept speaks to Army veteran captured by Russia while fighting for Ukraine: Report

US state department has spoken over telephone to a man from Alabama who was recently captured in Ukraine while voluntarily assisting war-torn nation's armed forces in ir fight against Russia. detained US national, a former military veteran, has been identified as Alexander Drueke and his talks with country's ministration were confirmed by his aunt Dianna Shaw. Earlier on June 9, Drueke along with anor US military veteran, Andy Huynh, went missing while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops. According to media reports, y were later captured by Russian forces.  

"Drueke told state department that he is fine, receiving food and water and has shelter as well as bedding. We want to believe all se things, and it’s Russia’s responsibility to make sure it’s all true. Having Drueke call and say se things tells me that Russia knows world is watching how y treat," man's aunt Shaw stated, as per Guardian. Drueke, who served in US Army, and Huynh, a member of US Marine Corps, went missing after ir unit came under intense assault in norastern part of Ukraine's Kharkiv region. 

Zelenskyy promises to fight for Drueke’s release

Meanwhile, Drueke’s mor extended her gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for hailing her son and Huynh as heroes and promising to fight for ir release. She stated that it was very encouraging to know that Ukrainian government has vowed to take steps for ir release.

"I want to thank President Zelenskyy for taking ir situation seriously," Drueke’s mor was quoted by local media houses saying. According to reports, Kremlin has termed Drueke and Huynh as foreign mercenaries. However, duo's families have refuted this assertion, claiming that two voluntarily enlisted to defend Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

Russia says foreign mercenaries in Ukraine will face criminal charges

Furrmore, United States has urged that everyone apprehended be treated as a prisoner of war, with assurances of humane treatment and fair trials. However, Russian Defence Ministry has stated that foreign mercenaries in Ukraine are not fighters and will face criminal charges. Earlier this month,  Russian Defence Ministry claimed that number of foreign combatants in Ukraine has dropped from 6,600 to around 3,500 as of now. 

(Image: AP)