Hayden Davies: Ex-British soldier imprisoned by Russia says he feels abandoned in occupied Ukraine

He told the BBC he felt lonely in prison, and hadn’t had any contact with representatives of the British government: “I served my country for 12 years in the [British] Army, and now, when I need help and medical treatment, no-one wants to know. This is a disgrace!”

British officials are regularly denied access to detainees in Russia, and cannot travel to occupied Ukrainian territory.

All letters exchanged with Russian prisoners are read, and often censored, by the Russian authorities. Davies gave his permission for the letters to be published. His family declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.

Human rights organisations and other international bodies have accused Russia of systematically denying prisoners of war (POWs) and other detainees appropriate medical treatment, which Moscow denies. The International Red Cross says it does not have full access to POWs in Russia and Russia-controlled territory, which is a requirement under the Geneva Convention.

A source close to Davies said the soldier had a serious injury to his leg and “he’s getting no help at all”. The person added that representatives of the British government had not been in contact with Davies’ legal team, who are based in Russia.

Writing to the BBC in March, Davies says he has received only one letter from his sister. The BBC understands he has since received a letter from another relative.

“The attitude towards him in the prison is bad because he’s British, [Russia says] he’s a mercenary,” says Anastasia Shevchenko, a respected political activist based in Lithuania who helps POWs in Russian captivity.

Russian authorities insist prisoners are treated in accordance with law and international standards, and reject accusations of mistreatment.

Shevchenko told the BBC she informed the British authorities of Davies’ capture last year after speaking to Ukrainian POWs held in the same prison, who put the two in contact.

She says she informed the British Embassies in Ukraine and Lithuania about Davies’ imprisonment: “They thanked me, and that’s it…From Kyiv, I got the message that we wish him to be brave, and we think about him, and…that’s all.”

“For me, this is very strange because [POWs] are starving in prison, they need help immediately,” the activist adds, “I sent [Davies] money so he could buy some food there… the food they are given is not enough. Every month they need food, clothes and medication.”