Two Americans captured in Ukraine while fighting with Kyiv's military were "endangering" Russian soldiers and should be "held accountable for those crimes", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Mr Peskov's remarks to NBC News were the first time the Kremlin has commented on the cases of Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, both US military veterans, the network said.
"They're soldiers of fortune and they were involved in illegal activities on the territory of Ukraine," Mr Peskov said.
"They were involved in firing and shelling our military personnel. They were endangering their lives.
"They should be held responsible for those crimes that they have committed. Those crimes have to be investigated."
Mr Peskov admitted that their specific offences were not yet known, but he claimed that they would not be covered by the Geneva Conventions on prisoners of war.
"They are not Ukrainian army, so they are not subject to the Geneva Conventions," he said.
Last week, a Russian state-TV channel aired videos on social media of Mr Drueke and Mr Huynh.
The circumstances under which the two men were being held were not fully clear, nor was who was holding them. Mr Peskov would only say they were being held by "authorities."
As to whether they could face the death penalty, he said: "It depends on the investigation."
US-Russia prisoner swap – in pictures
US President Joe Biden said Friday that he did not know the whereabouts of Mr Drueke and Mr Huynh, who are believed to have joined other foreigners in volunteering alongside Ukrainian troops.
A US State Department representative on Saturday confirmed American authorities had seen the photos and videos of the two US citizens "reportedly captured by Russia's military forces in Ukraine".
"We are closely monitoring the situation and our hearts go out to their families during this difficult time," the representative told AFP.
On the case of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who is being held in pre-trial detention in Russia on drug charges, Mr Peskov strongly rejected the idea that she was being held as a hostage.
"We cannot call her a hostage," he said. "Why should we call her a hostage? She violated Russian law and now she is being prosecuted."
Griner, 31, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence.
Washington says that Russia has "wrongfully detained" her and turned her case over to the US special envoy in charge of hostages.
Her pre-trial detention has been extended until July 2.
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Brief scores:
Huesca 0
Real Madrid 1
Bale 8'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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