Disturbing development from Donetsk regarding Newark soldier Aiden Aslin

A disturbing development has come from Donetsk relating to the fate of captured Newark soldier Aiden Aslin.

Aiden, 28, Bedfordshire's Shaun Pinner, 48, and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim, 21, were sentenced to death by a court not recognised by international law that decided falsely they were mercenaries in the employ of Ukraine.

Even though the men have appealed their sentences in the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic, it has been reported that a site for their execution by firing squad is being prepared.

The men were all captured in April during the heroic defence of Mariupol and were pictured battered and bruised on Russian state television in defiance of the Geneva Convention.

Far from being mercenaries, as it suits the Russian-backed separatists to claim, the men all lived in Ukraine for years prior to the war.

The UK government has demanded their safe treatment in accordance with the convention and there are hopes a prisoner swap could be arranged.

Direct dialogue is difficult as the UK does not recognise the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) so is liaising with Ukrainian officials.

with no prior warning given. The date of their executions will not be released in advance.

DPR spokesman Denys Pushilin said: "Everything is ready. It won’t be public."

Pushilin said a court was considering appeals submitted by the three men, but on completion of the legal process their cases would be transferred to the executive service for implementation, by firing squad.

Under Russian law, mercenaries are not granted the same privileges as regular combatants.

Two other Britons, Dylan Healy, 22, and Andrew Hill, 35, are also in custody in Donetsk.