Two Britons have been denied pardon, after being sentenced to death in a Russian-backed court

The leader of the Russian-backed Donetsk region has denied calls for immunity after two Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun were captured while fighting for Ukraine.

The court hearing was held in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, which is one of Russia’s proxies in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Britain has slammed the court’s decision though as a “sham judgment”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesperson says the prisoners of war are entitled to immunity.

British tragedy

Former British soldier, Jordan Gately, has been shot and killed while defending Ukraine in the city of Sievierodonetsk.

His family posted to social media saying he was a “true hero”.

Ukrainian Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak also paid tribute to Gatley in a Twitter post.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued to move in with full force in the eastern regions of Ukraine, using artillery bombardment to gain ground.

New reports suggest they have destroyed a major Ukrainian bridge that was responsible for allowing civilians to escape and the movement of military equipment.