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The Irish Sun
24 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Brit PoW freed from Putin's torturers becomes citizen of Ukraine and says ‘my blood is British but spirit is Ukrainian'
A BRITISH PoW who was brutally tortured by his Russian captors has become a citizen of Ukraine. Brave Aiden Aslin, 31, was beaten, stabbed and forced to sing the Russian national anthem after being told: "Yours will be a beautiful death." Advertisement 6 His terrifying five-month ordeal came to an end after a prisoner swap Credit: East2West 6 British fighter for Ukraine, Aiden Aslin, 31 Credit: East2West 6 Aiden back on the frontline Credit: East2West His terrifying five-month ordeal only came to an end after ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich brokered a prisoner swap. Aiden returned to Ukraine in the wake of his release and was awarded the Order of Courage. He was granted citizenship earlier this month and pledged his future to the country. He said: "Some people may wonder why. Advertisement read more in world news "But for me, the answer is simple: I love Ukraine . "Everything that life has thrown at me, beating, stabbing, death sentence, psychological of it has made me retreat. "Maybe I'm British by blood, but I'm Ukrainian by spirit and will. "My future is here in Ukraine ." Advertisement Most read in The US Sun In an exclusive interview after his release in September 2022, Aiden told The Sun: "I never thought I'd get out alive." He built a new life in Ukraine in 2018 as a marine and was on the frontline when Russia launched its illegal invasion in February 2022. He was among 500 marines who eventually surrendered to Russian troops after his cornered Battalion ran out of food and ammunition during the Azovstal steelworks siege in early April. He was driven into the countryside and told he would be shot before he was paraded in front of the cameras during a sham trial in the Donetsk People's Republic and sentenced to death. Advertisement Aiden, of Newark, Nottinghamshire, revealed: "I genuinely thought my days were numbered. "As soon as we surrendered they flicked through my passport and quickly realised it wasn't Ukrainian. "The soldier processing me asked in Russian: 'Where are you from?' "I told him I was from Great Britain and as soon as I said that he punched me in the face." Advertisement Aiden was freed alongside fellow Brit PoWs, Shaun Pinner, 51, John Harding, 59, Dylan Healy, 25, and Andrew Hill, 39. British aid worker Paul Urey, 45, died in captivity before their release. Who is Aiden Aslin? Born in Newark, Nottinghamshire, Aiden Aslin has built a new life for himself in Ukraine. As a marine, he fought on the frontlines when the Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He was captured by Russian forces during the brutal battle for the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol that April. Aiden had been sentenced to death by firing squad after a sham trial. But he was later freed in a prisoner exchange deal in September. He has since returned to the frontlines, saying: "I'll stay until the war is won." 6 British war prisoners Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner were sentenced to death penalty Credit: East2West 6 A still image taken from Russian state TV Credit: Reuters Advertisement 6 British PoWs Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin were invited back to Ukraine to receive medals of honour Credit: Ian Whittaker - News Group Newspapers Ltd
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit PoW freed from Putin's torturers becomes citizen of Ukraine and says ‘my blood is British but spirit is Ukrainian'
He built a new life in Ukraine in 2018 as a marine and was on the frontline when Russia launched its invasion LION'S ROAR Brit PoW freed from Putin's torturers becomes citizen of Ukraine and says 'my blood is British but spirit is Ukrainian' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH PoW who was brutally tortured by his Russian captors has become a citizen of Ukraine. Brave Aiden Aslin, 31, was beaten, stabbed and forced to sing the Russian national anthem after being told: "Yours will be a beautiful death." Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 His terrifying five-month ordeal came to an end after a prisoner swap Credit: East2West 6 British fighter for Ukraine, Aiden Aslin, 31 Credit: East2West 6 Aiden back on the frontline Credit: East2West His terrifying five-month ordeal only came to an end after ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich brokered a prisoner swap. Aiden returned to Ukraine in the wake of his release and was awarded the Order of Courage. He was granted citizenship earlier this month and pledged his future to the country. He said: "Some people may wonder why. "But for me, the answer is simple: I love Ukraine. "Everything that life has thrown at me, beating, stabbing, death sentence, psychological of it has made me retreat. "Maybe I'm British by blood, but I'm Ukrainian by spirit and will. "My future is here in Ukraine." In an exclusive interview after his release in September 2022, Aiden told The Sun: "I never thought I'd get out alive." He built a new life in Ukraine in 2018 as a marine and was on the frontline when Russia launched its illegal invasion in February 2022. He was among 500 marines who eventually surrendered to Russian troops after his cornered Battalion ran out of food and ammunition during the Azovstal steelworks siege in early April. He was driven into the countryside and told he would be shot before he was paraded in front of the cameras during a sham trial in the Donetsk People's Republic and sentenced to death. Aiden, of Newark, Nottinghamshire, revealed: "I genuinely thought my days were numbered. "As soon as we surrendered they flicked through my passport and quickly realised it wasn't Ukrainian. "The soldier processing me asked in Russian: 'Where are you from?' "I told him I was from Great Britain and as soon as I said that he punched me in the face." Aiden was freed alongside fellow Brit PoWs, Shaun Pinner, 51, John Harding, 59, Dylan Healy, 25, and Andrew Hill, 39. British aid worker Paul Urey, 45, died in captivity before their release. Who is Aiden Aslin? Born in Newark, Nottinghamshire, Aiden Aslin has built a new life for himself in Ukraine. As a marine, he fought on the frontlines when the Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He was captured by Russian forces during the brutal battle for the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol that April. Aiden had been sentenced to death by firing squad after a sham trial. But he was later freed in a prisoner exchange deal in September. He has since returned to the frontlines, saying: "I'll stay until the war is won." 6 British war prisoners Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner were sentenced to death penalty Credit: East2West 6 A still image taken from Russian state TV Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit breaks his back in horror pool plunge in Ibiza as island reels from deaths of four UK tourists in just three months
A BRITISH tourist is in intensive care after breaking his spine in a hotel swimming pool in Ibiza. The horrific accident happened in the same town, San Antonio, where four Brit 5 Another accident has struck in a San Antonio hotel, this time leaving a young Brit with a broken back Credit: Darren Fletcher 5 Four people, including three Brits, have died at Ibiza Rocks Hotel since late April - though it's not known where the latest accident happened Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Gary Kelly's death at Ibiza Rocks Hotel prompted all events to be suspended The 23-year-old was seriously injured on Tuesday afternoon after jumping into the pool at the hotel where he was staying. He dived from a height of 1.2 metres and hit his head on the bottom, sustaining multiple serious injuries. He suffered a spinal cord injury, a fracture to the sixth vertebra, head trauma and a cervical injury. It is feared that he will be paralysed and never fully recover, reports read more on brit ibiza deaths Two ambulances were called to the scene following the incident, where he was stabilised before being transported to the Policlínica del Rosario. The hospital said the Brit underwent emergency brain surgery overnight. Four Brits have It isn't yet known which hotel the injured 23-year-old was staying. Most read in The Sun Two weeks before that, 26-year-old Evan Thomson lost his life in similar circumstances. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred Evan's loved ones slammed the hotel's response to his fall in the days following it. They claimed they were stuck in an office for hours without answers and heard pressure washers cleaning the spot where he fell just 90 minutes after he fell. After Gary's death, Ibiza Rocks temporarily suspended its programme of daytime events, which usually pump out music by the pool until 8pm. In between the deaths of Gary and Evan, a third Brit lost their life to a fatal fall in San Antonio. An unnamed 25-year-old plunged from a supermarket car park in the town, and died in hospital from his injuries the following day. 5 Fellow Brit Evan Thomson died just over two weeks before Kelly in similar tragic circumstances 5 The Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio - where two Brits have died just months apart Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Ibiza Rocks was Staff at the popular San Antonio party spot are on edge - with non-guests banned from the hotel and security guards pacing the roof with torches at night. Hotel guest Layla Right, 25, from Newcastle, revealed that staff have been beaming torches at anyone "di**ing around" on the balconies. She told The Sun: "As soon as they see anyone being silly on the balconies, they flash the torch straight at them. "They must be terrified of it happening again." The owners of the Ibiza Rocks has said they are 'reviewing' safety measures following reports they have agreed to raise the height of their balcony railings. Bosses are said to have agreed to carry out a number of improvements during a meeting with council bosses in San Antonio last week. Full statement from Ibiza Rocks When approached for a comment about the spate of deaths at the hotel, Ibiza Rocks said: "The tragic incidents of the past few weeks have deeply affected many. "We continue to work closely with the authorities and our thoughts and support remain with everyone impacted. "Much of the hard work that goes into safety and security in hotels and venues across the world happens behind closed scenes. "With thousands of guests passing through our doors every summer, it takes a collective effort from our team, security and local partners to maximise safety for all. "In times like these, care matters - but so does action. "We have zero tolerance for any behaviour that puts our guests or our team at risk and we are building on the strong work we already do to go even further. "Out of respect and privacy for the people involved, we don't usually comment on individual reports posted online, but that certainly doesn't mean we're not always listening. "We're committed to working with anyone who raises solid concerns so that we can establish the facts and take the appropriate steps. "Our hotel remains open and more information on the future events programme will be shared as soon as possible."
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit breaks his back in horror pool plunge in Ibiza as island reels from deaths of four UK tourists in just three months
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH tourist is in intensive care after breaking his spine in a hotel swimming pool in Ibiza. The horrific accident happened in the same town, San Antonio, where four Brit holidaymakers have died in the past three months. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Another accident has struck in a San Antonio hotel, this time leaving a young Brit with a broken back Credit: Darren Fletcher 5 Four people, including three Brits, have died at Ibiza Rocks Hotel since late April - though it's not known where the latest accident happened Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Gary Kelly's death at Ibiza Rocks Hotel prompted all events to be suspended The 23-year-old was seriously injured on Tuesday afternoon after jumping into the pool at the hotel where he was staying. He dived from a height of 1.2 metres and hit his head on the bottom, sustaining multiple serious injuries. He suffered a spinal cord injury, a fracture to the sixth vertebra, head trauma and a cervical injury. It is feared that he will be paralysed and never fully recover, reports Cadena Ser. Two ambulances were called to the scene following the incident, where he was stabilised before being transported to the Policlínica del Rosario. The hospital said the Brit underwent emergency brain surgery overnight. Four Brits have lost their lives in accidents San Antonio in the past three months - and at least three of those happened at Ibiza Rocks Hotel. It isn't yet known which hotel the injured 23-year-old was staying. Gary Kelly, 19, from Dundee, died when he fell from a third-floor balcony at Ibiza Rocks last Monday. Two weeks before that, 26-year-old Evan Thomson lost his life in similar circumstances. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred Evan's loved ones slammed the hotel's response to his fall in the days following it. They claimed they were stuck in an office for hours without answers and heard pressure washers cleaning the spot where he fell just 90 minutes after he fell. After Gary's death, Ibiza Rocks temporarily suspended its programme of daytime events, which usually pump out music by the pool until 8pm. In between the deaths of Gary and Evan, a third Brit lost their life to a fatal fall in San Antonio. An unnamed 25-year-old plunged from a supermarket car park in the town, and died in hospital from his injuries the following day. 5 Fellow Brit Evan Thomson died just over two weeks before Kelly in similar tragic circumstances 5 The Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio - where two Brits have died just months apart Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Ibiza Rocks was locked down last week following Gary's death, with heightened security and night-time patrols. Staff at the popular San Antonio party spot are on edge - with non-guests banned from the hotel and security guards pacing the roof with torches at night. Hotel guest Layla Right, 25, from Newcastle, revealed that staff have been beaming torches at anyone "di**ing around" on the balconies. She told The Sun: "As soon as they see anyone being silly on the balconies, they flash the torch straight at them. "They must be terrified of it happening again." The owners of the Ibiza Rocks has said they are 'reviewing' safety measures following reports they have agreed to raise the height of their balcony railings. Bosses are said to have agreed to carry out a number of improvements during a meeting with council bosses in San Antonio last week.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
We bought a fixer-upper in Bulgaria for £6.5K but it was a disaster – 6 warnings if you're buying a ‘dream home' abroad
A BRITISH family who thought they'd found their 'dream' house in Bulgaria for just £6,500 have revealed how it quickly went sour. The couple behind the @ Advertisement 2 A British woman has issued a warning after buying a house in Bulgaria for £6,500 Credit: tiktok@therollingrucks 2 The family travelled from South Wales to view the fixer-upper, but their dream has since ended Credit: tiktok@therollingrucks After arriving in Bulgaria, the family, from South Wales , admitted they had no idea what to expect from their incredibly cheap property. The initial reveal left them "really, really overwhelmed," with the mum confessing, "I thought oh my gosh we might have made a mistake." But it turns out that it wasn't theirs to buy in the first place. In a new video, the mum shared: 'We bought a house in Bulgaria for six and a half thousand pounds — or so we thought so. Advertisement More on homes 'We travelled from South Wales to Bulgaria to view a property that we thought we purchased. 'Turns out it wasn't ours to purchase in the first place.' Stating that the home has now already been sold on to someone else, she said they are 'taking some downtime at the minute to sort of recuperate and gather our thoughts.' However, she did share six things she's learned through the process about buying in Bulgaria. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive CHOOSE A REPUTABLE ESTATE AGENT The mum shared: 'First things first: get yourself a reputable estate agent and ensure that you've got a Bulgarian lawyer. 'These are called advocates, and what they'll do is check all the legal agreements on the property, check your preliminary contract to make sure there's no outstanding mortgages or finances left on that property — especially before you start working on the land and clearing it, because most Bulgarian houses do need a bit of work.' Cops rescue 9 kids from house in woods where they were 'punished with vinegar, put in cages, drugged, & sexually abused' OPEN ACCOUNTS She next advised that you open some personal accounts during the process. The mum advised: 'You don't necessarily need to, but they are helpful when you wanna transfer funds back and forth.' Advertisement RESEARCH LOCATION The next piece of advice was to choose your location carefully. She added: 'Do some proper research about the location you want to be in as well, because not everyone wants to be out on the sticks.' VIEW IN PERSON The mum shared how they bought the house without viewing it first, and advised against anyone else doing this. She said: 'View your property in person — that goes without saying. Advertisement 'Don't trust anybody and buy online, because you're just gonna get burned.' FACTOR IN FEES While a house price may seem cheap in a foreign country, there are other fees to factor in, she stated. These include notary fees, registration fees, and all the other legal fees that come with buying a house — including taxes, which can be 'up to 10 per cent.' LAND DEBATE The TikTok user shared that you may find yourself confused about what you actually own. Advertisement She explained: 'If you're buying a property in your personal name, bear in mind you may not own the land that's associated with it.' REGISTER A BUSINESS She said that most people who go over there to buy property will need to make sure they register their own business. The mum continued: 'Doing this does entail to you to the land and the house — but remember, it's the business's property, not yours, and extra fees are included for that to go ahead as well.' She said that although they have thankfully received their money back now, they are working on their 'new dream.' Advertisement The social media user concluded: 'We will be looking for something else for sure not sure if it will be Bulgaria or something else just yet taking some time to think.' Moving house hacks 1. Declutter Before You Pack Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load. 2. Create an Inventory Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move. 3. Use Quality Packing Materials Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move. 4. Label Everything Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized. 5. Pack a 'First Day' Box Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day. 6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place. 7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury. 8. Colour-Code Your Boxes Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
