Shaun Pinner was arrested in Mariupol in April along with Britain’s Aiden Aslin during a fierce battle for control of the port city. The couple was found guilty of “wage-making and actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the Donetsk People’s Republic”, although their families claim they were fighting legally as part of the Ukrainian army and should be treated as prisoners of war. Zelensky “did not want to hear it” when warned about Russia, Biden says – watch live updates Boris Johnson is said to have been “shocked” by the sentences handed down to the men and ordered the ministers to do “whatever they can” to secure their release. It comes as the war in Ukraine rages with fierce fighting continuing in the central city of Sheverodonetsk. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the world was facing “an acute and severe food crisis and famine”. Image: Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin in Ukraine “Our family misses him so much” In a statement, Mr Piner’s family said: “First of all, our whole family is devastated and saddened by the result of the illegal trial by the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic. “As a Ukrainian resident for more than four years and serving as a Marine under the 36th Brigade, of which he is very proud, Shaun should have all the rights of a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention and include full independent legal representation. . “We sincerely hope that all parties will work together urgently to secure Shaun’s safe release or exchange. “Our family, including his son and his Ukrainian wife, we love and miss him so much and our hearts go to all the families involved in this awful situation.” Explanator: Why do two Britons face the death penalty? A spokesman for No. 10 said the prime minister “closely monitored the case and asked the ministers to do everything in their power to try to reunite them with their families as soon as possible”. “You are not abandoned and you will not be abandoned” Mr Johnson’s call for rallies came as Diana Okovita, Mr Ashlin’s fiancée, traveled to London to campaign for his release. And in a touching post on social media, she assured her partner that he is not “abandoned”. He said: “How I wish you knew that you are not forgotten, you are not alone, you are not abandoned and you will not be abandoned. “I hope that deep down in your soul you know and feel it anyway. I believe that soon we will see pictures of you smiling in the newspapers.” The United Kingdom has not announced plans to hold talks with Russian officials. Read more: Sky’s Stuart Ramsay recalls meeting doomed Britons on the front lines Key developments:
Boris Johnson “scared” with the death sentences for Britons “Intense street-to-street fighting” in Severodonetsk Zelenskyy famine warning for Russian blockade
Intense fighting in Severodonetsk as the battle for Luhansk continues Fierce fighting continues in southern and eastern Ukraine as Russian forces try to take full control of the Luhansk region. The city of Severodonetsk – considered a key target for Moscow and the last stronghold of the Ukrainian resistance in the region – has seen “intense street-to-street fighting,” according to British intelligence. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) said: “Russia is firing en masse with its artillery and air capabilities in an attempt to crush Ukraine’s defenses.” He also said that Moscow was using 5.5-ton anti-ship missiles from the 1960s against ground targets. “Russia is likely to resort to such ineffective weapons systems because it lacks more sophisticated modern missiles, while the Ukrainian air defense continues to prevent its regular aircraft from conducting raids in much of the country,” the foreign ministry said. Picture: A Ukrainian tank is in position during battle on the front line in Severodonetsk. Photo: AP People at risk of ‘acute and serious food crisis’, says Zelenski President Zelensky said stopping the Russian invasion was vital for the whole world, as he warned of the danger of starvation. “It is on the battlefields of Ukraine that the future rules of this world are being decided along with the limits of what is possible,” he said at an event in Singapore via videolink. He noted that Russia is blocking ports in the Black Sea and Azov Seas, holding back Ukrainian food exports from the world market. “If… because of Russian embargoes we can not export our food, people will face an acute and severe food crisis and famine in many countries in Asia and Africa,” he said.