Russia's Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don said on May 24 that five foreign nationals will be tried for joining Ukraine's armed forces fighting against Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
According to the court, the trial of three Britons -- John Harding, Andrew Hill, and Dylan Heal --Swedish citizen Mathias Gustafsson, and Croatian national Vjekoslav Prebeg on alleged terrorism and other charges will start on May 31.
Since all five men are believed to have been released as part of a prisoner exchange last year, the trial would be held in absentia.
Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk said in mid-August that the five men went on trial in what separatists call the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) on charges of mercenary activities, preparing for terrorist activities, and training to "seize power."
Later reports said the five men were among persons released in prisoner swaps last year.
Britain's Foreign Office condemned the "exploitation" of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes following the capture of Healy and Hill last year.
It was confirmed at the time that another Briton, Paul Ury, who was captured along with Healy and Hill, died in the separatists' custody.
The British government insisted then that as legitimate members of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Britons and other foreigners captured by Russian troops should be treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention.
In early March 2022, shortly after Russia started its full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Kyiv launched a website to recruit foreign volunteers to an "international legion" to fight invading Russian troops.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a decree then, introducing visa-free entrance to Ukraine for foreign nationals who intend to join the legion.
