Tuesday 21 June 2022 01:46 PM Soldier who fought with captured US fighters in Ukraine says he 'regrets' ... trends now
An American who traveled to Ukraine along with two US veterans who have now been captured by Russian forces has told of his guilt.
The soldier spoke anonymously to CBS Mornings on Monday as Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh were paraded on Russian state television.
'They sort of followed me out here. We all agreed there was no leader in the group but I definitely feel a bit guilty, without a doubt.
'We should have taken a closer look at more humanitarian options or training options.
'If we did, then they wouldn't be in the situation they're in,' he said.
Scroll down for video
The soldier spoke anonymously to CBS Mornings on Monday as Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh were paraded on Russian state television
Alexander Drueke, 39, left, and Andy Huynh, 27, appeared terrified in footage released by Russian forces where they identified themselves and denounced war. They men went missing last week after their platoon in Ukraine was ambushed by Russian soldiers
Drueke, 39, and Huynh, 27, were captured on June 11 during a battle in Kharkiv. They were captured by Russian fighters after disabling a tank with grenades.
The anonymous group-leader who was with them told CBS that he and they knew execution was a possibility.
'They wound up out here a bit by accident. They wanted to do good and this is sort of, I suppose, the unfortunate result of that.
'We were warned that execution could be a possibility. I'm very happy that they did not know follow through with that,' he said.
Drueke served in the US Army in Iraq but Huynh has never been in active combat before.
His fiancée in Alabama said he traveled to the region to help after watching the war unfold from afar.
An undated photo of the two veterans, Drueke, (left) and Huynh (right), was uploaded on the Telegram messaging app on Thursday, a day before the video went up
In the video issued by Russian state media, the men appear beaten and tired.
'My name is Alexander Drueke, I am against war,' Drueke said. He then reiterates in Russian, 'Ya protiv voyny,' meaning I am against war.
'Ya protiv voyny,' Huynh repeats after a quick cut.
Another video shows Drueke addressing his mother, Bunny, as he promises her that he will be back home.
'Mom, I just wanted to let you know that I'm alive, and I hope to be back home as soon as I can,' Drueke said. 'Love you.'
Kurpasi had arrived in the country on March 7 and was in the capital by March 21. He was last heard from around April 23 and 24
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby last week said the US would do 'everything' to bring the pair home safely.
He however reiterated that Ukraine was 'no place for Americans right now', and he urged anyone considering joining the fight not to go.
The two men's families are begging the Biden administration to help them.
Bunny Drueke, Alex's mother, said the latest photos and videos give her hope because her son is still alive.
