men They are Alexander John-Robert Druke, 39, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, 27, from Hartsell, Alabama.
Dryuke and Huynh, he said, went missing during battle and subsequent search missions failed find any remains. BUT post on Russian propaganda channel on Telegram the next day reported that two Americans had been taken prisoner near Kharkov. “It was absolute chaos,” he told CNN. “There were about a hundred-odd infantrymen advancing on our positions. We had T72. firing on people from 30, 40 meters.”
Bunny Druke, Alexandra mother, told CNN that “they’re supposed to be prisoners of war, but this has not been confirmed.”
She said the US embassy in Ukraine was unable to verify her son was captured. “They couldn’t verify that he with Russians. All they can confirm is that he is currently missing,” she said. in close touch with me and i have every confidence what do they work on situation.”
Hyun’s fiancée, Joy Black, told CNN, “We’re not want make assumptions about what might have happened at that time. Obviously, they are considering several scenarios. As well as one of them that they could be captured. But we don’t have absolute confirmation of that at this time.”
This was stated by the representative of the US State Department. on environment that they are “aware of unconfirmed messages of two US citizens captured in Ukraine.”
“We are closely monitoring the situation and in contact with “Ukrainian authorities,” the spokesman said. “For privacy reasons, we no longer have comment.”
On Wednesday, the White House said it could not confirm reports, however, the coordinator of the National Security Council for John Kirby, strategic communications specialist, said that “if this is true we will do our best to get them safely home.”
Both Bunny Druke and Black told CNN that their last communication with their favorites were on June 8 when men told them they would go offline for several days for a mission.
“In fact, it was a completely normal conversation: I told him that I was going for food. with my friends are with us favorite restaurantBlack said. And he said, “I love you very much.” And then he said, “I’ll be unavailable for two or three days.” What am I found out was for the operation they were doing.
they got engaged in March, shortly before he left for Ukraine, she said.
“We are not know If we wanted get married or betrothed before he left. And we decided on just get engaged to when he came back we could get married and enjoy this and not parting immediately after we got married.
Now, she says, she is “very fragile.”
“Although not great something happened, I’m still very proud of Andy for be strong,” she added.
Bunny Druke said she has “ups and downs”.
“I try to stay calm and brave, because losing everything will not work. help Alex in in measure. So I just trying to stay calm,” she said.
Druke and Black later explained to CNN’s Anderson Cooper. in joint interview on “AC360” on Wednesday night that dedication and love for The US fed its loved ones decision go to Ukraine.
“He one of the most dedicated Americans you could ever hope to meet, and he took pride in serving his country,” Dryuke said. of her son. “He said, ‘Mom, I really need go and help fight in Ukraine, because if Putin is not stopped there, he will not be satisfied, he will grow bolder, and eventually the Americans will be threatened.”
Struggle back with tears in her eyes, Black told Cooper that her fiancé “didn’t go there for selfish reasons or something like that. He really had it gnawed at his heart and it big cargo on him to go and serve people however, he can.
“I know is not great situation, but I’m still very proud of his. I just want To see him back safe,” she said.
This story was updated with additional reporting.
Jennifer Hansler of CNN, Caitlan Collins and Dewan Cole provided coverage from Washington, DC.
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