Ex-British soldier imprisoned by Russia says he feels abandoned in occupied Ukraine

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Ex-British soldier imprisoned by Russia says he feels abandoned in occupied Ukraine6 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleWill VernonFCDOHayden Davies joined the Ukrainian army's foreign legion as a volunteerA former British soldier sentenced to 15 years in a maximum-security Russian prison colony has told the he feels abandoned by the UK government. Hayden Davies was captured in Ukraine by Russian forces more than 18 months ago after joining the Ukrainian army's foreign legion as a volunteer. He was convicted of mercenaryism, which means taking part in a military conflict for material reward as a so-called "private soldier".

Davies was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian prison in December last year by a court in Donetsk, a Ukrainian city occupied and controlled by Russia. The UK does not recognise the court or Russia's occupation of the city. Last week, a judge in Moscow added two more years to the sentence, after ruling Davies' initial jail term was too lenient.

The Details

A UK Foreign Office (FCDO) spokesperson told the : "We remain in close contact with Hayden Davies' family and are providing consular support. We strongly condemn the sentencing of Mr Davies in a Russian-controlled court on false charges of mercenaryism. "The following paragraphs contain details some readers may find upsettingIn letters written to the from inside a detention facility, Davies says he was captured by Russian forces after being seriously injured on the front line.

"My radio broke, my partner was killed and I couldn't escape," he writes, "I had to make a decision: lie there and die, or take action. I crawled 150 metres to reach an area I knew. "Davies says the pain from his injuries was unbearable, with bones protruding from his leg.

"I reached a ruined house with a basement and decided to stay there. Luckily, there was lots of tinned food. "The former soldier says he treated his wounds as best he could, pushing the bone back inside the leg.

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"I've never experienced such terrible pain in my life. I made a splint and crutches out of wood," he writes. Davies stayed in the basement for two months until Russian soldiers discovered him.

The 33-year old says he was imprisoned on his own for a whole year before being put in a cell with other prisoners. He told the he felt lonely in prison, and hadn't had any contact with representatives of the British government: "I served my country for 12 years in the Army, and now, when I need help and medical treatment, no-one wants to know. "British officials are regularly denied access to detainees in Russia, and cannot travel to occupied Ukrainian territory.

All letters exchanged with Russian prisoners are read, and often censored, by the Russian authorities. Davies gave his permission for the letters to be published. His family declined to comment when contacted by the .

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.