Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has raised the issue of two British men sentenced to death by a Russian-backed court with her Ukrainian counterpart.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was said to be “appalled” by the sentences handed to Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and has ordered ministers to do “everything in their power” to secure their release.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister was appalled at the sentencing of these men. He has been following the case closely and has asked ministers to do everything in their power to try and reunite them with their families as soon as we can.

“We completely condemn the sham sentencing of these men to death. There’s no justification at all for this breach of the protection they’re entitled to.”

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Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov declined to comment on the cases, saying they are under the jurisdiction of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Mr Lavrov told a press conference: “Currently they are guided by the laws of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

“Because these crimes were committed on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, all the rest is speculation.

“I will not comment on the Donetsk People’s Republic judiciary.”