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Hayden Davies, a former British soldier who volunteered for the Ukrainian army’s foreign legion, has been sentenced to 15 years in a maximum-security Russian prison colony. Captured over 18 months ago by Russian forces, Davies was convicted of mercenaryism, accused of participating in military conflict for personal financial gain as a so-called “private soldier.” In December, a court in Donetsk— a city under Russian control but not recognized by the UK as such—initially sentenced him to 13 years. Last week, a Moscow judge extended this sentence by two years, citing that the original term was too lenient.
Davies shared his experience in letters written from detention, describing how he was badly injured during combat and subsequently captured. After his radio broke and his partner was killed, with no chance to escape, he crawled approximately 150 meters to seek shelter, spending an entire day making his way to a ruined house with a basement. Severely wounded with bones protruding from his leg, Davies improvised treatment, pushing the bones back and fashioning a splint and crutches from wood. He remained hidden in this basement for two months before Russian soldiers found him. He then spent a year in solitary confinement before being moved to a cell with other prisoners.
Throughout his imprisonment, Davies has expressed feelings of isolation and abandonment by the UK government. “I served my country for 12 years in the [British] Army, and now, when I need help and medical treatment, no-one wants to know. This is a disgrace!” he told the BBC. British officials face significant challenges in providing support; they are routinely denied access to detainees in Russia and cannot enter territories in Ukraine under Russian occupation. All correspondence with prisoners is monitored and often censored by Russian authorities. Despite this, Davies has allowed his letters to be published. His family has declined to comment publicly.
Human rights organizations and the International Red Cross have accused Russia of systematically denying prisoners of war adequate medical care, claims which Russian officials reject, insisting on compliance with legal and international standards. Anastasia Shevchenko, a political activist assisting prisoners of war in Russian custody, believes Davies is receiving no medical help for a serious leg injury and has criticized the UK’s response. After alerting British embassies and authorities to Davies’ plight, she received little assistance or follow-up. Shevchenko highlighted the inadequate prison conditions, noting that food supplies are insufficient and that prisoners rely on external aid for essential items like food, clothing, and medication. She stressed the emotional importance of support for captive individuals, emphasizing that prisoners must feel remembered. Meanwhile, a source within the Ukrainian government indicated they are unaware of any active efforts from the UK to assist detained citizens.
Former prisoner Shaun Pinner, who was captured in eastern Ukraine and later freed in a prisoner swap, provided some insight into the UK government’s involvement. While praising the government for its communication with his family, he acknowledged that the release negotiations were handled by the Saudi government, rather than British officials. Pinner remarked on the difficulties the UK faces in accessing prisoners, stating that if Russia refuses diplomatic access, there is little that can be done to assist detainees directly. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reaffirmed its stance, condemning Russia’s treatment of prisoners and demanding compliance with international laws such as the Geneva Conventions, while warning potential fighters about the legal risks of participating in the conflict in Ukraine
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