British Ex-Soldier Files Lawsuit Against Russia Alleging Torture During Ukraine Captivity

Shaun Pinner, a 52-year-old British veteran and former prisoner of war, has sued the Russian Federation after being starved, beaten, and tortured by Russian forces in Ukraine. GB News reported that Pinner will take his case to the High Court in London. Court papers titled Shaun Pinner vs The Russian Federation are set to be lodged shortly.

Pinner was captured after the fall of Mariupol in April 2022. He was hooded and transported to a prison in Donetsk after capture. While there, guards poked him with a cattle prod and told him to prepare for his death, Pinner said.

Pinner, alongside fellow Briton Aiden Aslin and Moroccan Saadoun Brahim, received death sentences at a show trial in Donetsk's Supreme Court. He was spared execution through a prisoner exchange in September 2022 facilitated by Roman Abramovich. John Harding, another British Army veteran freed in the exchange, said he did not recognize Abramovich until Pinner pointed him out.

Harding said: 'Shaun said: "You really look like Roman Abramovich" and he replied, "That's because I am him, sir". Pinner was captured and tortured at a Russian black site. Pinner previously served in the Royal Anglian Regiment.

He served in the Georgian Legion, a volunteer unit in Ukraine, with members representing at least 33 nationalities. An estimated 20,000 foreign volunteers have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This represents about two per cent of the total strength of Ukraine's military force, according to researcher Oleksandra Zub.

Pinner has been granted an Order of Courage by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for selfless acts in the defence and sovereignty of Ukraine. He has been awarded £250,000 in damages by a court in Kyiv. He noted: 'This won’t replace people or property.