Newark resident Aiden Aslin back in the Ukraine delivering medical aid 18 months after being captured by Russian forces

A man is back on the frontline in Ukraine 18 months after being released by his Russian captors and returning home to Newark.

Aiden Aslin, 30, who was held captive as a prisoner of war for six months before being released last year has returned to the embattled Ukrainian city of Avdiivka.

"Ukraine is my home,” said Aiden in a prior interview with the Advertiser.

Aiden’s fiancée is Ukrainian and his mother still lives in Balderton.

He grew up in the area.

“Obviously I don't want to be captured again, but I feel there is still work to be done,” Aiden said.

Aidan was captured by the Russians in April 2022 while fighting as a Ukrainian Marine in Mariupol.

Two months after his capture, Aiden was sentenced to death by firing squad in the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic.

Interventions by key people including Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich secured Aidan's release and return to England.

"I visited Avdiivka this week to help deliver some vital Medicines for the only remaining hospital that continues to operate despite the ongoing destruction of the city by Russian forces," said Aiden on his Facebook page.

"The situation is extremely difficult as there is only one route into the city and roughly 1,000 civilians remaining who choose to stay due to having nothing else in life other than their home that they have lived in their entire life."

Aiden who previously served in the Syrian civil war added that he was delivering medical supplies to Ukrainian soldiers positioned there rather than fighting.