Two Britons captured by Russian forces face 20 years behind bars, according to a video shared by Russian state media.

Shaun Pinner, from Watford and Buckinghamshire, was detained in April alongside fellow soldier Aiden Aslin.

The two who were fighting in Ukraine are said to have admitted “training in order to carry out terrorist activities” after appearing in the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).

In footage shared by Russian news Ria Novosti on social media on Wednesday, a translator can be heard asking Mr Aslin if he would “plead guilty” to an offence, to which he replied: “Yes.”

Watford Observer: Undated family handout photo issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of Shaun Pinner. Credit: PAUndated family handout photo issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of Shaun Pinner. Credit: PA

The charge carries a term of 15 to 20 years’ imprisonment with restriction of freedom for a term of one to two years or life imprisonment, according to Ria Novosti.

The video appeared to show the two soldiers in the dock in the pro-Russian territory’s supreme court alongside a third man, reported to be Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim.

Mr Pinner is also said to face a longer term and even the death penalty after allegedly admitting to “seizing power by force”.

The former waste manager is said to have moved to Ukraine with his wife, before joining the nation’s armed forces in 2018.

Watford Observer: Shaun Pinner in a previous Russian-state videoShaun Pinner in a previous Russian-state video

The Foreign Office condemned the exploitation of prisoners of war for political purposes in the wake of the footage, and said it was working with the Ukrainian government on the issue of British captives.

Tory former minister Robert Jenrick told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme the trial was based on “trumped up charges, no evidence whatsoever”.

He added it is a “completely outrageous breach of international law and it should be condemned”.

Mr Jenrick continued: “What I hope happens is that a prisoner exchange occurs in the near future. The Russian authorities have chosen to make an example out of these two British nationals and it is, I think, completely shameful.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are working with the government of Ukraine on the detention of British Nationals.

“We condemn the exploitation of Prisoners of War for political purposes. They are entitled to combatant immunity and should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities.”