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Two U.S. Army veterans who went missing in Ukraine last week were shown on a Russian news broadcast telling their loved ones that Russian separatists had captured them.
Images from Friday’s broadcast on Russian news channel RT were the first time the missing men, Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, both from Alabama, have been seen since they disappeared on June 9.
“Mom, I just want to let you know I’m alive and I look forward to coming home as soon as I can,” Drueke said in the picture.
Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, two veterans of the U.S. Army in Alabama who went missing in Ukraine last week, appeared on a Russian news broadcast on June 17, 2022. (Lois “Bunny” Drueke / Diane Williams via AP) (Jeronimo Nisa / The Decatur Daily via AP) (AP Newsroom)
During the video, she is seen giving her mother a quick wink and telling her to take care of her dog. “So, love Diesel for me. I love you,” he added.
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Drueke’s aunt Dianna Shaw said the video recording included a secret word and a gesture they had discussed during their previous tours of Iraq, verifying her identity and letting her know she was okay.
RT issued the report in English, saying the two Americans were separated from their group when they ended up approaching a Russian patrol and surrendered. Russia-backed separatist forces are holding men, the report added.
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Drueke previously served in the U.S. Army, which included two tours in Iraq. Huynh previously served in the U.S. Navy.
Neither the US nor the Russian government have confirmed that American men have been arrested.
This undated photo provided by Diane Williams shows American military veteran Alexander Drueke of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Drueke traveled to Ukraine to assist in the fight against Russian invaders and was later reported missing. (Lois “Bunny” Drueke / Diane Williams via AP) (Lois “Bunny” Drueke / Diane Williams via AP)
Earlier, the U.S. government said that any American captured in Ukraine should be considered a prisoner of war and therefore protected as a combatant under the General Conventions. Russian military officials, however, said that international fighters would be considered mercenaries and would not have such protections.
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On Friday, a reporter asked President Joe Biden about the missing Americans.
This photo taken on April 6, 2022 in Hartselle, Alabama, shows US Navy veteran Andy Tai Huynh, who decided to fight Ukraine in the war against Russia. (Jeronimo Nisa / The Decatur Daily via AP) (Jeronimo Nisa / The Decatur Daily via AP)
“I don’t know where they are and I want to be clear: Americans should not go to Ukraine,” the president replied. “I will say it again. Americans should not go to Ukraine.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.