Brit held as Putin ‘faces op’
THE FOREIGN Office is investigating after an injured British man wearing military fatigues captured by Russian forces in Ukraine was paraded on TV.
He gave his name as Andrew Hill, 35, from Plymouth, and had bandages on his head and left arm.
Asked about his rank, he said: “I don’t have a rank... I just know the foreign legion said I could help.”
Russia’s defence ministry said he surrendered in Mykolaiv, in southwest Ukraine – close to where former
British soldier Scott Sibley, 36, died a few days ago.
Mr Hill said he has a partner and four children. He is among five Brits now thought to be held by
Russia – two fighters and two aid workers.
The news came as a
Kremlin insider reportedly claimed Russian President
Vladimir Putin is facing an operation for cancer – and that he will hand over power to hardline former KGB chief Nikolai Patrushev, 70, while he recovers.
Putin, 69, is reportedly battling abdominal cancer and Parkinson’s Disease. Russian media outlet General SVR quoted a source saying: “Doctors insist that he needs an operation, but the date has not yet been determined.”
Putin is not expected to go into hospital before May 9, which marks WWII victory over Hitler.