British soldier Aiden Aslin is RETURNING to Ukraine just weeks after he was released by Russian captors: Former POW will document war on YouTube – but NOT rejoin the fighting

  • Aiden Aslin, 28, will return to Ukraine to act as a YouTube war correspondent
  • He is returning to the country 50 days after being freed from Russian captors
  • He plans to report on conflict and tell stories of Ukrainian soldiers and firemen

By NATASHA ANDERSON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

A British soldier has revealed he is returning to Ukraine just 50 days after he was freed from a Russian death sentence.

Aiden Aslin, 28, was captured by Russian forces in April while fighting in Mariupol and was due to face a firing squad after being sentenced to death.

But the Saudi Crown Prince and ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich helped secure his release in September and he returned to the UK to be reunited with his family.

Now, Mr Aslin has revealed he is returning to Ukraine to act as a Youtube 'war correspondent'.

The solider says he will report on the ongoing conflict for his YouTube channel by spending time on the front-line. 

He also plans to tell the stories of Ukrainian soldiers and firemen as well as everyday folk and their battle for survival.

British soldier Aiden Aslin (pictured) has revealed he is returning to Ukraine just 50 days after he was freed from a Russian death sentence. He plans to act as a Youtube 'war correspondent'

British soldier Aiden Aslin (pictured) has revealed he is returning to Ukraine just 50 days after he was freed from a Russian death sentence. He plans to act as a Youtube 'war correspondent'

Mr Aslin, 28, (pictured) was captured by Russian forces in April while fighting in Mariupol and was due to face a firing squad after being sentenced to death. But the Saudi Crown Prince and ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (not pictured) helped secure his release in September and he returned to the UK to be reunited with his family

Mr Aslin, 28, (pictured) was captured by Russian forces in April while fighting in Mariupol and was due to face a firing squad after being sentenced to death. But the Saudi Crown Prince and ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (not pictured) helped secure his release in September and he returned to the UK to be reunited with his family

Mr Aslin, of Newark, Nottinghamshire, said his motivation to return was his love for his adopted country of Ukraine despite his brush with death just two months ago. 

He said: 'It's my home. Obviously I don't want to be captured again, but I feel there is still work to be done. There are stories that need to be told.

'I promised my fiancée that I wouldn't go back to the military. I don't expect to ever pick up a weapon again.

'I know that I may a recognisable face in Ukraine, but I feel it's worth the risk.'

He said he also wants to bring eye-witness accounts to a wide audience in the West and to keep suffering in the public eye.

Mr Aslin (pictured), of Newark, Nottinghamshire, said his motivation to return was his love for his adopted country of Ukraine despite his brush with death just two months ago

Mr Aslin (pictured), of Newark, Nottinghamshire, said his motivation to return was his love for his adopted country of Ukraine despite his brush with death just two months ago

Mr Aslin, a serving soldier, was captured during the siege of Mariupol. With the ammunition and stocks of food and water gone, his unit was ordered to surrender.

He laid down his arms, only to be sentenced in a kangaroo court to death by firing squad and living under the constant threat of that sentence being carried out.

On his return to the Ukraine, Mr Aslin will check on the state of his home near the front line at Kherson.

His Ukrainian fiancée, Diana Okovyta, who arrived in Newark as a refugee, will stay behind, possibly until the war is over.

Mr Aslin added: 'I fear the war could drag on another few years unless something happens in Russia politically.

'Ukraine won't give up and has given Russia much more of a bloody nose than what I said before going into combat. Entire units are being wiped out.

'I do believe Ukraine has a real chance of winning this war.'

Russia-UkraineMariupolRoman Abramovich

Most watched News videos

Comments 5

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.