Torture, survival & hope: a soldier's account of fighting for Ukraine & life in Russian captivity

Day 760.
Today, as well as the regular updates and news we bring you an honest and searing account of warfare, captivity and freedom from former British soldier and Ukrainian marine, Shaun Pinner.
Contributors:
David Knowles (Head of Audio Development). @djknowles22 on X.
Dominic Nicholls(Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor) @FrancisDearnley on X.
Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.
With thanks to:
Shaun Pinner, former British Soldier & Ukrainian Marine, POW and author of Live.Fight.Survive. @olddog100ua on X.
Books/Articles Referenced:
Shaun Pinner's Book:
amzn.eu/d/6ZpXUuQ
'Vladimir Putin can be tried for his crimes now', by Geoffrey Robertson (Telegraph):
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024...
New Ukrainian Documentaries (Ukrainian Institute London):
ukrainianinstitute.org.uk/eve...
Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [e-mail]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[@user-mk1rr6cu8m]

Really do not understand why this podcast does not get more likes. Day after day it is excellent.

[@ruthwhall3020]

It is now that there isn't an an add every 5 mins or even before the news started

[@churblefurbles]

because the only people left are those who laugh and the nafo who are easily led.

[@BorisPerc]

because this are west journalist as our mainstream media, pathological liars they should go to darknet to see what UA army do to people since 2015 present. Fuhrer z. dont even have election.

[@benoitbvg2888]

It's because this is the only good content from the Telegraph. Everything else is just brexit gammon tory BS.

[@user-do2qr8cq6k]

Excellent if upsetting report thanks all. Exposing the disgusting practices discussed is essential. Slava Ukraine and all the Heroes.

[@guardiangypsy2682]

What the hell is wrong with Washington???? No one forced Berlin to show their hand regarding feet on the ground, why couldn't Berlin have given the answer that nothing can ever be ruled out? They need to pull their finger out their arse and get on with making sure Ukraine WIN!!

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

Well govna maybe Washington doesn't want to give ukraine money anymore because there losing. Does this look like northern Ireland to u? Ur not fighting an aggressive element that can be sanctioned off me wankey!

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@SteveOhw594]

Maybe they are still embarrassed at their lack of OPSEC?

[@sirnodrick222]

What a hero. Such a strong guy. Thanks for telling us your story.

[@tablechair]

Incredible interview.

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

Ur a retard

[@j.jwhitty5861]

This is the storey I expect to hear from a WW2 Soldier captured by the Gestapo or NKVD in WW2 not from a Soldier in the 21st Century. Respect to Shawn for his courage and humanity the world would be a lesser place without such men.

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

Ohhh un wad ur panties u nato idiots tortilure people all the time😊

[@churblefurbles]

because its propaganda as they are afraid of the obvious sensible choice for ukranians to surrender.

[@Murkosk]

I`m sitting and digesting what I just heard. What a piece! Excellent work. I`m sad that there are so many people here in Slovakia that are unwilling to resist Putin's Russia.

[@burritosls]

And what's wrong with Russia and Putin?

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

@@burritosls Everything!!

[@janvandalfsen4123]

Russian have access to Ukrainian propaganda, yet the party closest to the views of Yavalny the free market/ business party, got merely 3.5% of the vote. People could vote for anyone but most voted for Putin by a longshot. Zelensky isn't game to have an election and has regularly purged all sorts of people with different views. A greater percentage voted in Russia than in the USA elections. @@baggablisssimmo7559

[@masy1369]

​@@burritosls the fact that they exist.

[@ruthwhall3020]

​@@burritoslsbott fof

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

This guy is so mentally strong and tough and nails, this is also testament to the British military training. I cannot understand why the West is reluctant to save the Ukrainian people from this e..v...i..l, Russia is an e.v..il place.

[@terryross2388]

Because Ukrainians are not an amorphous mass. Those east of the Dnieper traditionally voted for Presidents who were friendly to Russia. The regions were part of the Russian Empire prior to 1917 and even though the USSR made them an administrative part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, they kept their Russian language and Russian family roots even after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. When war broke out between the West and East of Ukraine in 2014, many soldiers defected to the East. This was particularly pronounced in Crimea where over 80% defected.

[@AnthonyCarroll-ue3uv]

Maybe Russia is cursed 😱

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

@@terryross2388 Russia colonised all of those regions, shipped out the indigenous people, then shipped in her own

[@janvandalfsen4123]

Apart for what was there for centuries already, mostly the increase in Ukraine's Russian people is because the USSR Russians migrated across the Soviet Union to where there were jobs, including to industrial heartland of Ukraine. @@baggablisssimmo7559

[@ttrestle]

Because half of America are Trump cultists, who have been mentally programmed to support fascism, and that fascism includes supporting people like Trump and Putin. Conservative Republican Americans are typically poorly educated in America are typically Christian, or typically easily tricked into believing lies, hoax, misinformation and conspiracy theories. This makes it easier for them to support a fascist authoritarian Russian dictatorship instead of supporting a sovereign democratic Ukraine. Luckily, the other half of America made up of factions, such as moderate independents like myself, liberals and progressives, etc. still strongly support, Ukraine, and regularly contact, our congressman and The White House expressing the need to continue the fight in order to help Ukraine win.

[@theveryfirst]

Make that man a Sir. What an ordeal he has gone through. We do not appreciate our brave soldiers enough.

[@eileenmiller9914]

To go through what he has been through and to have such a good attitude is so admirable. I hope all those men get returned safely. The Ukrainians are such brave, strong, decent people. We should all be doing whatever we can to help them to victory. Slava Ukraini🇺🇦♥️

[@dave9302]

Excellent interview, excellent guest, thanks 💪🏻🇺🇦🇬🇧

[@williamraworth1161]

This interview was so captivating...I could not stop listening. Where can I buy the book ?

[@masy1369]

My respect to Shaun and the podcast team💙💛👏👏👏

[@MakeCakeNotWar]

Amazing interview. Thanks for all involved. Shaun for being brave enough to share and the show for being willing to host the interview.

[@helensmith6037]

Mind blowing interview, so good to see that the training was top quality and underpinned his survival. Sadly, training is being watered down in so many areas nowadays.

[@Taketaketak]

Thanks for this, really hard to listen to. Unfathomable to go through surely.

[@Bob-nd2mr]

testament to the British military training.

[@paulevans730]

That was an amazing interview

[@sparkcommunications2499]

Hope! What an amazing interview

[@ttterrible4585]

This particular episode was definitely in the top 10 of the pod cast

[@tawektawek3838]

From now, when I read the apologists for Putin's imperialism and brutality, I'll remember to systematic war crimes described by Shaun Pinner. There's no way these weren't sanctioned from the top.

[@olddog3941]

Policy set by the highest levels of the Kremlin

[@collintrytsman3353]

absolutely outstanding episode

[@tonycowley9246]

Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@StrangePilgrim1]

Shaun's book is fantastic. Of course the subject matter is devastating but I highly recommend it. Stay strong Shaun. Stay strong Ukraine. 💙💛💙💛

[@SuperMagnum2011]

Thanks U L T. excellent reporting. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[@johnwagner308]

Outstanding interview. I remember well how the Russian's tried to exploit the fact that they had captured foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine.

[@Kerrie_Smith_Khipu]

I’m speechless. This Sean Pinner story has to be one of the most difficult and yet inspiring stories I’ve heard about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. What a powerful force is HOPE!

[@olddog3941]

❤

[@mike4480]

Thanks for the great Stream,..surely one of the best so far, ..hearing what happened in 🇷🇺 captivity etc.,…💙💛💙

[@eddiegoodman9267]

Thanks for the update and views 🇺🇲🇺🇦 Oklahoma USA

[@williamraworth1161]

Absolutely splendid coverage.....and full respect to Mr Pinner. I would have asked him, if he heard anything on the grapevine about the plane full of Ukranian prisoners that Russia claimed was destroyed by Ukrainian artillery.

[@olddog3941]

Russia have still not provided any proof. i think its garbage.

[@evilaquaman]

Shaun Pinner, what a bloody legend- look out Dominic 🤪

[@16252]

interesting, thanks

[@BK-ky6uy]

6y⅝s4 see 😂417rs45q 54 54r0 see😊 seall 33😊1❤😊

[@mateobravo9212]

So powerful from Shaun. A refresher in why the West needs to uphold it's values with commensurate support. A war of cultures and systems not just territory. I'll be sure to check out Shaun's book - good to know that former British Army training held him in good stead. Greetings from Spain.

[@mryouben]

Tx from Berlin

[@philiplbrown]

A brilliant podcast, but at the same time, a damning indictment on Russians treatment of POW's

[@The_ZeroLine]

And the execution numbers are just from video. The real number is probably in the thousands. And they might be considered lucky considering the torture stories we’ve seen/heard about.

[@hrvojesvetec3058]

Would advice everyone to follow Russian state tv a bit,watch some talkshows,news etc and LISTEN to them and than tell me if we should just "negotiate with Russia".they talking abt everything terrible they done in Ukraine as it was something totaly normal,they admit everything and talking abt how they can be even more brutal,they want total annihilation of Ukraine as a nation,people,culture,its religion,traditional values etc..and than they saying to Russian people that they doing all this because "the west together with Ukraine was abt to attack us,Russia,so we had to attack first"..its ABSURD!!.disgusting,they brainwashing its people with these lies,delusions,misinformation,genocidal propaganda..sickening to be honest.we MUST STAND TOGETHER WITH UKRAINE..PERIOD!

[@janvandalfsen4123]

Who are "They"? Yes people, please listen to Putin's speeches instead of some talkshows or instead of getting it filtered by Western media. Talkshows have a diversity of opinion just like everywhere else.

[@wesley135]

Slava ukraini

[@victoriahigman6802]

Such a good podcast. So terrible for those involved

[@peaboss]

25:22 Pinner interview

[@mcbrite]

15:20 He calls it "extraordinary", I'd call it "f***ing mental"

[@GoliathExpedition]

Not shocked regarding Russian expats, having spent some time in Mexico what WAS shocking, is how many Mexicans are actively supporting Russian efforts, and openly discuss their wish to see Russian troops based in Mexico. Russia is busy in Latin America.

[@Kath-nd6pj]

Oh dear. Thanks for sharing.n

[@robertsteele474]

@@Kath-nd6pj The United States busy bee has some 800 military bases around the world, with 76 in Latin America. Russia has 0.

[@robertsteele474]

The United States busy bee has some 800 military bases around the world, with 76 in Latin America. Russia has 0.

[@GoliathExpedition]

Yep…the kind of thing the Mexicans in question would point out

[@casperhfl]

🇺🇦🇩🇰

[@tonymazzeo9240]

Sounds like the movie, Midnight Express. On steroids

[@The_ZeroLine]

So, basically they’re patting themselves on the back for changing the pledged artillery from 1m to 500k per year…

[@richardmarsden5610]

The unemployment rate in Germany stood at 6.0% in March, 0.1 percentage points higher compared to the month prior, according to the Federal Employment Agency's (BA) report released on Thursday.

[@leojmullins]

Read the Duran for an alternative narrative.

[@eioclementi1355]

I come here for just the regular lies

[@alien4422]

It is Ukraine's Military not The Ukraine's military.

[@quill444]

As the super special operation in Ukraine drags on beyond the two-year mark, it seems that Ruzzia is indeed slowly accumulating more territory, and as each additional move by the Ruzzian Federation boosts the fierceness of Ukrainian Resistance and their desire for Ultimate Independence, the only cost appears to be the utter dee struction of the Ruzzian Empire itself. It is therefore no wonder that the United States, while certainly 100% on the side of Ukraine, probably secretly wishes for this 'specialness' to last as long as possible! - j q t -

[@richardmarsden5610]

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday during a meeting with military pilots that should F-16 fighter jets be used from airfields of third countries, "they will become a legitimate target." He went on to say that even if these aircraft are supplied directly to Ukraine, "this won't change the situation on the battlefield." Talking about the "special military operation" in Ukraine, the head of state mentioned that the conflict never would have happened if "the security interests of the Russian Federation had been taken into account after the collapse of the USSR." Meanwhile, moving on to the topic of Moscow possibly attacking Poland and the Baltic states, or fighting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Putin underlined that such statements are "nonsense," adding that the country has no plans to do that.

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

How is he going to fight a war against NATO when he cannot defeat under equipped Ukraine ?

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

That's rich coming from Putin who has been using Belarus soil to invade another country

[@Kath-nd6pj]

Cried Wolf too often. No one believes Putin, apart from understand that whatever he SAYS indicates he will DO the opposite. How many months of “no plan to invade” up to the very day of invasion! And the other thing learnt is that whatever he accuses others of is what he himself is planning.

[@terryross2388]

@@baggablisssimmo7559 Russia is ALREADY fightng NATO. The member states of NATO are providing all the munitions, drones, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, air defense that enables Ukraine to wage a conflict. Russia has already destroyed the country's existing stockpiles. NATO also supplies training and targetting data and the Germans have admitted that NATO personnel are involved in Ukraine with deployment of Storm Shadow and its French counterpart. As a result NATO has hollowed out its own capability to wage a conflict.

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

@@terryross2388 If NATO joined this war, it would be over in 2 weeks. If Amazing the things Russians tell themselves in order to cope and not take responsibility, just as how Putin refuses to acknowledge Ukraine had nothing to do with the theatre shooting, yet he keeps telling himself they did in order to cope with his own in...co..mpe..tence. Russia is a super power with a weapon's manufacturing industry, this country can produce any weapon it desires and has been doing so for decades, they not only produce weapons, they also sell to the whole world and stock pile them, Ukraine on the other hand has to be relying on her friends for second hand equipment that has to travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic, these equipment are in small numbers, yet Russia in her inc..om...pet..ence, cann win this war.

[@kasumimori1798]

What most people watching this may not be aware of with regard to a "Nuremburg trial" talked about in the Final Comments section is that at the Nuremburg Trials, showing that the Americans or British had engaged in the same acts was an ABSOLUTE DEFENSE. *Every single thing* that the Russians are accused of doing in Ukraine in terms of war crimes, the Ukrainians have also engaged in: killing of persons hors-de-combat, targetting of civilians, attacking civilian population centers. The Ukrainians are additionally guilty of starting a war, and military attacks upon their own citizens. There is even video evidence of units that are now a part of the Ukrainian military CRUCIFYING and SETTING FIRE to a prisoner, video taken by the perpetrators themselves. Furthermore, NATO is by no means innocent. They are guilty of sabotaging negotiations that would have seen the conflict end within a month of the invasion... that sabotage puts the blood of every single person killed in this conflict since the collapse of those negotiations on the hands of both the United States and, especially, Britain. Both France and Germany are similarly guilty, for refusing to act to enforce the Minsk Accords, and for their perfidy, they have the blood of those 14,000 people killed in the Donbass by the Ukrainian military in the 7 years leading up to the invasion. The invasion itself is Russia fulfilling its Responsibility to Protect those citizens who were under attack by their own government... remember, this is EXACTLY the excuse given by the United States and NATO for its invasion of Syria

[@badwolftx2139]

Unfortunately, his story is not unique to this conflict or to Russia. Every country in every war has similar stories. War needs to be avoided at all costs or these stories will only continue.

[@Mortablunt]

ZOV!

[@mikerandall995]

Prokopenko ended up in Turkey 🙈

[@richardmarsden5610]

The United Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) observed a quarterly fall of 0.3% in the fourth trimester of the fiscal year 2023, matching expectations, the Office for National Statistics revealed in its report published on Thursday. On an annual level, the figure went down by 0.2% In output terms, all three of the main sectors contracted. Services declined by 0.1%, production by 1.1% and construction output by 0.9%, respectively. The household saving ratio increased to 10.2% compared to 10.1% registered in the third quarter. The UK economy has now contracted for two consecutive quarters. For the entire 2023, the GDP is estimated to have increased by 0.1% compared with 2022.

[@Kath-nd6pj]

And?

[@scottwatrous7649]

Tosh

[@krazyswede11]

Sean is a really good storyteller like Sir Francis of Unicorn. Both are very good at making up stories and Publishing them.😂😂😂😂😂

[@sebastianforbes1]

the way the media treats Sean Pinner and Ben Stimson is duplicitous...

[@olddog3941]

How, his gone to support Russia who are committing Torture and Genocide. His a foreign Mercenary, not sure what your point is?

[@allenmouldey7784]

Why did Boris Johnson and NATO force Ukraine to fight Russia ?

[@olddog3941]

Prove it and stop talking garbage, clearly didn't Listen to any of it!

[@richardmarsden5610]

Russian forces destroyed several deployment zones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Kherson region on Thursday, TASS reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense. The assault, led by Russian crews manning 152-mm towed howitzers, resulted in the destruction of temporary deployment points utilized by the AFU on the right bank of the Dnieper. Artillery fire also caused a "large" number of Ukrainian military casualties, according to the ministry.

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

Get a better job, the ruble is sinking

[@gregoryadair3223]

troll

[@richardmarsden5610]

@@gregoryadair3223 Nato bot. (i.e terrorist)

[@allenmouldey7784]

I have totally lost respect for Britain, the US and anyone who backs any war.

[@olddog3941]

yeeeeeeeaaaagh Russia invaded and started it?????????????

[@user-sz5pb7kf3o]

bs

[@maisondusuave]

Russia is not our enemy.

[@DominicFlynn]

I hope no money or favours were exchanged for the interview with Sean. That would be considered proceeds of crime

[@olddog3941]

Please explain your theory?

[@mlikely72]

An utter pack of lies.

[@mitchyoung93]

Propaganda is found on borh sides.

[@andreasbpunkt]

The difference is, the aim of Ukrains/Western propaganda is to to push the morale of the soldiers at the front lines, while russian propaganda aims to justify the attack on Ukraine and to gaslight its own people. Big difference.

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

Most notably from the Russians

[@burritosls]

Evidence: trust me, bro. Elensky shot down a plane with his prisoners of war - THAT'S ANOTHER THING.

[@eurocrusader1724]

Elensky? , boris..... I smell orcs in the comments

[@christinelapping7903]

​@@burritosls habeas corpus? Why hasn't Russia produced the bodies?

[@maplecote]

Sorry, boys. It's over

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

Yes, Russia is finished, Ukraine is getting stronger, billions of dollars in equipment is on its way, including F16, Russia has had every advantage in this war, yet still cannot win

[@burritosls]

@@baggablisssimmo7559 news from a parallel universe😁

[@dannydetonator]

What's over?

[@user-of6zv2cd8k]

US Economy on brink of unprecedented collapse. ouch @@dannydetonator

[@user-of6zv2cd8k]

"US Economy on brink of unprecedented collapse"@@dannydetonator

[@bb5979]

Dont be fooled with the dulcet tones and the war p*rn music

[@baggablisssimmo7559]

Thanks Ivan

[@A.L.-tt1np]

A complete collapse, blackout of Ukrainian territory was arranged for the unwanted pensioner PrezeZelensky and "Kharkovoblenergo" (russia could not do this) disconnecting the electricity for several months in order to close his mouth and freedom of speech. And everything is covered by law enforcement officers and the DBI of Ukraine. Полный коллапс, блекаут на украинской территории устроил неугодному пенсионеру ПрезеЗеленский и "Харьковоблэнерго" (раша этого не смогла сделать), отключив электричество на несколько месяцев с целью закрыть рот и свободу слова. И всё крышуется (покрывается)правоохранителями и ДБР Украины.

[@16252]

tldr

[@harryhole5786]

I heart that Putin got haemorrhoids, is it true. Why is he always scratching his back?

[@user-mk1rr6cu8m]

Putin has a small pee pee.

[@robertsteele474]

@@harryhole5786 Hairyhole has an in-depth knowledge of hemorrhoids, but not of the English.

[@cliffordhanson9224]

Don't recommend channel... but I do recommend going back to Ukraine... Canada has enough freeloaders...

[@robertmiskey5502]

We have our dorks here in Canada too!

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

🇷🇺

[@Kath-nd6pj]

💩

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

🇷🇺

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

🇷🇺

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

🇷🇺

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

🇷🇺

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

🇷🇺