Shaun Pinner is a former British Army soldier who joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a contracted fighter in 2018. Defending Mariupol, his adopted city, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he was captured in April 2022 during the siege. In a show trial by the Donetsk People’s Republic, he was sentenced to death, sparking international condemnation. After five harrowing months in captivity, during which he endured severe torture,
A respected soldier, Shaun served for nine years in the Royal Anglian Regiment, undertaking missions with the United Nations in Bosnia and volunteering to fight against ISIS in the Middle East. After moving to Ukraine with his Ukrainian wife, Shaun embraced his new home, joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and rose to become a squad commander.
At the time of his capture, Shaun was nearing the end of his military contract and hoped to transition to humanitarian work. Despite being a protected person under the Geneva Conventions, Russian state media labelled him a mercenary, and his trial was widely condemned as a violation of international law. The European Court of Human Rights intervened, urging Russia to halt his execution, though Moscow dismissed its jurisdiction. Shaun was released in a prisoner exchange in September 2022.
In December 2022, Shaun was awarded the ‘Order of Courage, 3rd Degree’ by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, recognising his bravery in defending Ukraine. Reflecting on his ordeal, he has highlighted the importance of humour, camaraderie, and resilience in surviving extreme adversity.
Shaun’s journey from decorated British soldier to prisoner of war and eventual survivor offers profound insight into the personal cost of modern conflict and the enduring spirit of those who fight for their beliefs.