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Two British soldiers captured by Russian forces in Ukraine were repeatedly shown on Russian state television on Monday.
They asked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take them home in exchange for Ukraine releasing pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk.
The Ukrainian secret service SBU arrested the close ally of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin last week.
The SBU on Tuesday released photos of Medvedchuk handcuffed and wearing a Ukrainian uniform.
In response to the television images of the captured British soldiers, the Ukrainian security service also released a video on Monday in which the detained Medvedchuk asked to be exchanged for Ukrainian troops and civilians in the besieged city of Mariupol.
In his speech, the pro-Russian politician addresses Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In all three videos from both sides, it is completely unclear how freely the prisoners were able to speak.
Shortly after Medvedchuk's arrest last Tuesday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy proposed exchanging the detainee for Ukrainians in Russian captivity.
Medvedchuk disguised himself with a uniform, so he should be treated under martial law.
"I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange their boy for our boys and girls in Russian captivity," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Tuesday evening in Kyiv.
Prisoner Aslin: "We had no choice"
British media identified the men captured by Russia as Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin.
In the videos, both are interviewed by men who cannot be seen.
A state-controlled Russian television station released the recordings.
The first video appeared a few days ago (see above).
It shows 28-year-old soldier Aiden Aslin, originally from Nottinghamshire, being questioned in handcuffs.
Aslin, who is believed to have fought with the Ukrainian navy at Mariupol, told his family he was given no choice but to surrender, saying he and his comrades were out of weapons, Britain's Guardian reported.
The TV presenter explained that Aslin fought with the "Nazis" on the Ukrainian side.
He himself admitted that his comrades were "all criminals," according to the British newspaper "Daily Mail," which reported on the video.
In a clip available online, Aslin is said to have been forced to say that Ukraine should recognize the Russian-held territories.
The second British soldier, Shaun Pinner, said he also fought alongside Ukrainian marines.
The 48-year-old appeared tired and injured in the short propaganda video (see above): "I fought in Mariupol for five to six weeks and am now in the People's Republic of Donetsk."
The video was first broadcast by Russian television on Saturday, but it is not known how old it is or where it was recorded.
Pinner is actually from the eastern English county of Bedfordshire and, according to the Guardian, moved to Ukraine four years ago.
He is said to have lived there with his wife in the Donbass.
The former soldier in the Royal Anglian Regiment said in January that he was stationed in trenches a few kilometers from Mariupol, the newspaper said.
sug/reuters