The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that the "trial" of British citizens in occupied Donetsk was worthless and propagandistic.

"All foreigners who fight on Ukrainian territory as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to international humanitarian law, they are subject to the legal status of combatants," Nikolenko explained," said the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko exclusively to "European Pravda."

He added that all servicemen of the Armed Forces who are captured by the occupiers enjoy the rights of prisoners of war. In particular, it is prohibited to commit violence, intimidation, or inhumane treatment.

"The so-called "trial" of UAF servicemen in the occupied Ukrainian territories is worthless. Such public trials place propaganda above the law and morals, undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

He added that the Ukrainian government would continue to put as much effort as needed to release all Ukrainian defenders.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian state media reported that two British citizens, 28-year-old Aiden Aslin and 48-year-old Shaun Pinner, appeared in court in Russian-controlled territory in Donetsk. They were accused of being mercenaries, undergoing training to carry out terrorist activities, and the violent seizure of power of the so-called DNR.

Both of them have been sentenced to death alongside Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim.

The British Foreign Secretary has condemned the "death sentence" of Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner in a so-called court in occupied Donetsk.

The British government, which is "deeply concerned" by Russian state media reports of the death sentence for two Britons, will also respond to the situation and work for their release.

Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on Russia to sympathize with British prisoners of war in Ukraine.

Aiden Aslin, who fought in Mariupol against Russian occupation forces, told his family and friends in April that his unit had to surrender to Russian troops.

Both Britons claimed to have served in the Ukrainian Marines, although they were accused of being "mercenaries."

Most likely, Russia is using this process to put pressure on Britain and may seek to exchange prisoners for Russian soldiers convicted of murder and other war crimes during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In Russia itself, there is a moratorium on the death penalty.