Two former US soldiers who volunteered in the Ukrainian army were captured by Russian forces during a battle east of Kharkiv last week. The British newspaper The Telegraph writes today, citing their comrades. The two are identified as Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, upon their release.
According to an anonymous comrade of the two Americans, Drueke and Huynh were arrested last Thursday after their 10-strong unit was surrounded by Russian forces. The unit had moved towards a town that was supposed to be free but was actually under attack by the Russians. The two Americans disappeared during fighting against a hundred Russians and are said to have been captured.
“We cannot confirm” the news of the capture of two Americans fighting in Ukraine. “If that were true, hypothetically, we would do whatever it takes to get her home safely,” John Kirby, the US National Security Council’s strategic communications coordinator, said at the White House briefing. “We reiterate that we stop Americans from going to Ukraine and fighting,” Kirby said. “There are other ways to help Ukrainians in a peaceful manner.”