The Kremlin said it did not know the whereabouts of the two Americans captured while fighting against Russia in eastern Ukraine. In a statement made today, it was reported that the two Americans were mercenaries and could be sentenced to death in separatist areas supported by Russia.
Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, disappeared while fighting against Russia near Kharkiv. Russian state media published video footage of the conversations with the two Americans and reported that they were captured by Russian-backed forces.
Interfax news agency, citing an undisclosed source, stated that the two Americans were in the Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine, which is only recognized by Russia.
British nationals Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin and Moroccan national Brahim Saadoun were caught in the Donetsk People’s Republic while fighting against Russia in the Ukrainian army and sentenced to death this month.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out Moscow’s possibility that two American citizens from the state of Alabama could also face the death penalty if tried in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Although there is no death penalty in Russia, only the laws of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, recognized by Moscow, do include the death penalty.
Speaking to reporters, Peskov said, “We are talking about mercenaries who threaten the lives of our military personnel. They threatened the lives of not only ours, but also the military personnel of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.”
Peskov said, “We cannot rule out any possibility because these are the decisions of the courts. We never comment on these decisions and we have no right to interfere with court decisions.”
Reuters news agency could not confirm the Interfax report that the Americans were in Donetsk People’s Republic. A spokesperson from the Donetsk People’s Republic also rejected a request for comment on the matter.
The Kremlin argued that Americans as “mercenaries” are not protected under the Geneva Convention, which includes how prisoners of war should be treated.
Their families record that the two Americans were not mercenaries, but went to Ukraine voluntarily in April to help repel Russian forces.
“Alex didn’t go there as a soldier, he went as a civilian with military training,” said Lois Drueke, Alexander Drueke’s mother.
Drueke and Huynh last contacted their families on June 8th and said they were going on a mission, so they wouldn’t be able to communicate for a day or two. Concern arose that the two Americans might have been caught when they did not return to their bases.
Their families later recorded that they learned that Drueke and Huynh were in the Kharkiv region adjacent to Donetsk.