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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Arpan Rai,Maryam Zakir-Hussain and Liam James

Ukraine news – live: Kyiv ignores Russian ultimatum to surrender key Donbas city

AP

Ukrainian official shares footage of Wagner Base destroyed in the Donbas on Friday

Russian forces have said they have captured two American men who joined Ukrainian forces in the besieged country’s fight against Russian invasion, according to a report.

This is the first time Russia has claimed capture of Americans as prisoners since the war struck Ukraine on 24 February.

The two soldiers — Robert Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27 — were captured from Ukraine’s Kharkiv while fighting.

Washington has confirmed that it is “aware” of the reports of two men being captured by Russia but the US state department did not provide any further comment.

This comes at the time Russian offensive has pounded Ukraine’s eastern region but the top Ukrainian defence official has said that the country could beat Russia in the war if they are provided the right weapons.

"It is clear that this will not end soon. But then again, if we are given all the weapons that we need, the counter-offensive could well be over by the end of the summer,” major-general Dmytro Marchenko said.

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