EXCLUSIVE Sweeney Keeps Talking: Aiden Aslin

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Vlad Demchenko, the Ukrainian soldier who arrested him on Day 2 of Putin's war on suspicion of being a Russian spy. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

Last February, Putin launched his big war on Ukraine. Vlad Demchenko is a Ukrainian film-maker turned soldier who arrested John on Day 2 of the war on suspicion of being a Russian spy. Having sorted that, they’re now friends. Vlad tells John why he’s risking his life to defend Ukraine – and Europe. This is the story of an ordinary, extraordinary Ukrainian who is standing up to the Russian killing machine. This episode contains detailed descriptions of violence which some listeners may find distressing. If you are affected by anything you hear in this episode and need support please see the suggested helpline and website links below. Samaritans helpline: 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Find out what John Sweeney really thinks about his interview with Jackie Malton, a former senior police officer known for being the real-life inspiration for the character DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect. Available exclusively on Global Player. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuWb/ Download it from the App store or go to globalplayer.com If you're already on Global Player, search 'Sweeney Keeps Talking'.

Known for being the real-life inspiration for the character DCI Jane Tennison in the Prime Suspect TV drama series, Jackie Malton always wanted to be a detective. She joined the police force in the 1970s, when male police recruits were given a truncheon and female recruits were given a handbag. Jackie rose through the ranks to become one of only three female detective chief inspectors in the Metropolitan Police. But then she made a complaint about another officer, accusing them of corruption. Her reward? To be treated as if she was a traitor.

Detained, tortured, stabbed, and sentenced to death. This is Aiden Aslin’s astonishing story, from the heart of the conflict in Ukraine. Aiden fought with the Ukrainians and was captured by Russian forces during the siege of Mariupol. After a normal childhood in Nottinghamshire and ambitions to be a policeman, how did he find himself a prisoner of war? And how did he survive it? This episode contains detailed descriptions of torture and violence which some listeners may find distressing. If you are affected by anything you hear in this episode and need support please see the suggested helpline and website links below. Samaritans helpline: 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.ptsduk.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ https://combatstress.org.uk/ https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/what-we-do/therapy-and-support