US State Department Looks at 'Unconfirmed' Reports of Two Americans Captured in Ukraine

Washington, June 16 (QNA) - The US State Department said that it was "aware of unconfirmed reports of two US citizens captured in Ukraine." "We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with Ukrainian authorities," a State Department spokesperson said. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment." The official also echoed recent US warnings advising its citizens not to travel to Ukraine because Russian government security officials are singling out US citizens in Ukraine.
The British newspaper The Telegraph reported the arrest of 'two former US soldiers' during the fighting against Russian troops in Ukraine, referring to the names of the Americans. It said that they worked as volunteers with a regular Ukrainian military unit.
"The pair were taken prisoner during a fierce battle outside the north-east city of Kharkiv last week, according to comrades who were fighting alongside them," The Telegraph reported.
The Pentagon had confirmed earlier that the US military aid to Ukraine continues, and not under the umbrella of NATO, but rather bilaterally, denying at the same time the presence of American forces at Yavoriv military base which was exposed to Russian bombing of ballistic missiles.
The Pentagon decided last February to send a battalion of 800 American soldiers from Italy to the Baltic region, along with aircraft from Germany, to positions in NATO's Eastern European countries, against the backdrop of Russia's recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk independence from Ukraine. (QNA)