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Two U.S. military veterans who went missing in Ukraine last week were aired on Russian news broadcasts, telling their loved ones that Russian separatists had captured them.
The footage broadcast by Russian news agency RT on Friday was the first to see missing men from Alabama, Alex Druke and Andy Finn, since they went missing on June 9.
“Mom, I just want to let you know I’m alive. I want to get home as soon as possible,” Drueke said in a video.
In the video, he can be seen giving her a quick wink and telling her to take care of her dog. “So love diesel for me. Love you,” he added.
U.S. Citizen Missing in Ukraine: Alabama Service Member’s Family Believes He May Be “Captured”
Drueke’s aunt Dianna Shaw confirmed that the video recording contained secret words and gestures discussed during his previous Iraq tour, confirmed his identity and told her that he was okay. He said he had informed.
RT broadcast the report in English, stating that two Americans were separated from their group when they approached a Russian patrol and surrendered. Russia-backed separatists are detaining men, the report added.
Marine veterans travel to Ukraine to rescue civilians and bring medical aid and supplies
Drueke previously served in the US Army, including two tours to Iraq. Huynh previously served in the US Marine Corps.
Neither the United States nor the Russian government has confirmed that American men have been detained.
Earlier, the US government stated that Americans captured in Ukraine should be considered prisoners of war and therefore protected as combatants under the Generala Treaty. However, Russian military officials said international fighters were considered mercenaries and could not be given their protection.
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On Friday, President Joe Biden was asked by a reporter about a missing American.
“I don’t know where they are, so I want to be clear. Americans shouldn’t go to Ukraine,” the president replied. “Again, Americans shouldn’t go to Ukraine.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.