The release of five British prisoners captured while fighting in Ukraine has taken a dramatic twist with the revelation that sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was aboard the plane that brought them from Russia to Saudi Arabia. According to one of the freed men, John Harding, the former Chelsea FC owner not only flew with them but also played a pivotal role in securing their freedom.
Details of the Prisoner Exchange
The five British nationals—John Harding, Shaun Pinner, Aiden Aslin, Dylan Healy, and Andrew Hill—were released as part of a 10-person prisoner swap mediated by Saudi Arabia. The exchange occurred in late 2022, though the exact date has not been publicly disclosed. The men had been captured by Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine while serving as volunteers or mercenaries, depending on the perspective. Two of them, Harding and Pinner, had been sentenced to death by a separatist court, a verdict widely condemned by the United Kingdom as a violation of international law.
The flight from Russia to Saudi Arabia was meant to be a routine transfer, but it turned into an extraordinary encounter. Harding told The Sun newspaper that Shaun Pinner recognized Abramovich on the plane and struck up a conversation. “Shaun said, ‘You look a lot like Roman Abramovich,’ and the billionaire replied, ‘That’s because I am,’” Harding recounted. The two then talked about football for a long time, discussing favorite players and matches, a surreal moment given the gravity of the situation.
Abramovich’s Reported Role
Abramovich, who is under sanctions imposed by the UK and the European Union for his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been a controversial figure throughout the war. Before the invasion, he was one of the wealthiest Russians with close connections to the Kremlin. After the war began, Abramovich faced asset freezes and travel bans in the West, forcing him to sell Chelsea Football Club in 2022. However, he has also been involved in behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, including mediating talks between Russia and Ukraine early in the conflict.
Harding said that after the flight, he spoke with Abramovich’s assistant, who told him that the oligarch had played a key role in the liberation of the five prisoners. The assistant did not provide specific details, but Harding believes that Abramovich used his influence and contacts with both Russian and Ukrainian officials to help broker the swap. This is not the first time Abramovich has been linked to prisoner releases: reports earlier in the war suggested he facilitated the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol and helped secure the release of foreign fighters.
Background of the Prisoners
The five British men had been fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against the Russian invasion. Three of them—Shaun Pinner, Aiden Aslin, and Andrew Hill—were part of a unit defending the city of Mariupol in early 2022. They surrendered to Russian forces after weeks of siege. Dylan Healy and John Harding were captured later in separate incidents. All were charged with mercenarism, a crime that carries the death penalty in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.
The cases drew widespread attention in the UK, with families and lawmakers demanding their release. The British government argued that the men were legitimate combatants under international law and should be treated as prisoners of war, not mercenaries. However, the separatist courts rejected that argument and sentenced Pinner and Aslin to death in June 2022. Harding was given a death sentence in a separate trial. The sentences were later overturned after appeals, but the men remained in detention until the exchange.
The swap also included a Moroccan national, Brahim Saadoun, who had been sentenced to death on similar charges. The Saudi-mediated deal is believed to have involved the release of Russian prisoners held by Ukraine, though the exact numbers and identities have not been confirmed.
Abramovich’s Sanctions and Influence
Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government on March 10, 2022, just two weeks after the invasion began. Downing Street stated that it had evidence of his long-standing connection to Putin, including financial dealings and shared assets. The EU followed suit weeks later. These sanctions froze his assets in the UK and EU and banned him from traveling to those regions. Despite this, Abramovich has maintained a low profile and continued to exert influence in some circles, particularly through his network of former business associates and diplomats.
His involvement in prisoner exchanges is not surprising, given his past role as a mediator. In March 2022, he was reportedly present at peace talks in Istanbul, acting as an unofficial go-between for the Kremlin and Ukraine. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, at the time, acknowledged Abramovich’s efforts, though he also stressed that the oligarch was not an official representative of Russia. Some Western officials have criticized the engagement, arguing that it legitimizes a sanctioned figure. Nevertheless, Abramovich’s ability to facilitate releases suggests he retains significant access to decision-makers in Moscow.
The Context of the War
The capture and release of these five Britons took place against the backdrop of the full-scale Russian invasion that began on February 24, 2022. The war has caused tens of thousands of casualties, displaced millions, and triggered the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. It has also led to unprecedented Western sanctions against Russia and its elites, including Abramovich.
Prisoner swaps have been a regular feature of the conflict, with both Ukraine and Russia exchanging hundreds of captured soldiers and civilians. Some exchanges have been mediated by third parties such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or the United Arab Emirates. The release of the five British men was seen as a rare diplomatic success amid ongoing hostilities, though it also highlighted the perilous situation of foreign fighters in Ukraine.
As the war continues, the fate of other detained foreigners remains uncertain. Several other nationals, including Americans, Europeans, and Asians, are still held by Russian or separatist forces. Some have been convicted in political trials, while others are awaiting sentence. The involvement of figures like Abramovich in securing freedom for a few underscores the complex web of interests and influences that operate behind the front lines.
The five men are now safely back in the UK and reuniting with their families. Harding, in his interview, expressed gratitude for their release but also regret for the friends they left behind. He declined to comment further on Abramovich’s role, citing a request from the billionaire’s team to remain silent on the specifics. However, the story of the football chat on a plane from Russia to Saudi Arabia will likely remain one of the war’s most peculiar anecdotes.
Source: lavenir.net News