A Russian governor has said he is willing to meet with a pro-Ukraine group of Russian fighters who are keeping two Russian soldiers captive.

The group – the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) – said it was open to exchanging the soldiers in return for a meeting with the governor of the Belgorod region.

“Most likely they killed them, as hard as it is for me to say. But if they are alive, from 5pm to 6pm – Shebekino checkpoint. I guarantee safety,” governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

In a video posted to Telegram, a man who identified himself as the commander of the RVC appeared with two captives.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

One captive appeared to be injured and lying on an operating table.

The group gave Mr Gladkov until 2pm to meet with them.

“Today until 5pm (local time), you have the opportunity to communicate without weapons and take home two Russian citizens, ordinary soldiers whom you and your political leadership sent to the slaughter,” read a joint statement by RVC and the Freedom of Russia Legion.

What do we know about the Moscow drone attack?

Treat everything said about the Russian drone attack with scepticism

Putin blames Ukraine for Moscow drone attack and says Kyiv is trying to ‘scare and provoke’

Neither Mr Gladkov nor Moscow have commented on the video.

The governor also said that fighting with a “Ukrainian saboteur group” was taking place in the town of Novaya Tavolzhanka, near the Ukrainian border.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Freedom of Russia Legion and RVC – allegedly consisting of Russian nationals – have both been involved in clashes in the area.

The Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL) attacked Belgorod twice in recent weeks.

Read more:
Ukraine war live updates
Zelenskyy and Klitschko clash after woman killed outside locked Kyiv air raid shelter

The FRL is understood to have been established in the spring of 2022 “to fight in the ranks” of the Ukrainian army “against Putin’s armed gang”.

Ukraine has denied involvement with the group but the militia said it cooperates with the Ukrainian armed forces.

Related posts:

‘Satan shoes’ launched by Lil Nas X, which contained a drop of blood, to be recalled after Nike lawsuit Jacob Zuma jailed for 15 months for contempt of court PM urged to expand scheme to allow former Afghan interpreters to resettle in UK Spain’s former king Juan Carlos accused of harassment by ex-lover Five Sudanese officials detained as civilians told to resist any attempted military coup – reports Colour returns as recovering coral-bleached Great Barrier Reef ‘gives birth’ First foreign aid reaches Tonga as new photos show tsunami devastation Russia claims all pregnant women were moved out of bombed maternity hospital Body of cricket legend Shane Warne arrives in Australia ahead of state funeral Huge blast at Kabul mosque kills at least 10 on last Friday of Ramadan Ukraine’s defence minister ‘optimistic’ that war could end this year ‘It’s why we’re on the brink of extinction’: Crackdown urged on fossil fuel lobbyists at COP summits