A British prisoner of war who was captured by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine has told of his disbelief at being welcomed by Roman Abramovich aboard his luxury jet.
John Harding is one of the five British prisoners released following a Saudi-brokered exchange between Russia and Ukraine. The Brits had an emotional return to the UK after enduring six months in captivity by Russian separatists.
Mr Harding said that UK-sanctioned billionaire businessman Roman Abramovich had played a “key part” their release, describing him as a “lovely guy” and a “legend” in an interview with The Sun.
The Brit said that Abramovich, who formerly owned Chelsea Football Club, “treated them like royalty” – in contrast to months of being beaten regularly in cells.
โHeโs [Abramovich] well respected by Ukrainians and massively by us now, too – heโs done a hell of a lot for us and we couldnโt thank him enough,โ Mr Harding said.
โHe was a sound bloke, a really lovely guy. Heโs a legend โ we absolutely love him and Iโm so grateful for his efforts.โ
Mr Abramovich had welcomed the former prisoners onboard his jet that had earlier flown them from Russia to Saudi Arabia, reported The Sun.
It is understood Mr Harding was set free on Wednesday along with Shaun Pinner, Aiden Aslin, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill.
The Britons landed at Heathrow Airport in the early hours of Thursday 22 September, and reunited with their families.
Mr Harding said Mr Pinner told the businessman during the flight that he really looked like Roman Abramovich and he replied saying: โThatโs because I am him, sirโ.
โHe couldnโt believe it.โ
โShaun was chatting away to him about football for a long time and I was speaking to his assistant,โ Mr Harding continued:
โShe said Roman had played a key part in getting us back. Itโs quite extraordinary to think he was involved โ and I wouldnโt have even been able to tell you who he was by looking at him.โ
Mr Harding added that the Brits were each handed and iPhone 13 to talk to their families, and dined on stake, canapes and tiramisu during the flight from Russia to Riyadh.
Mr Abramovich announced he would sell Chelsea on 2 March, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The UK government sanctioned him on 10 March, with Downing Street claiming to have proven his links to Vladimir Putin. (LBC)