Russian diplomat says two captive Russian soldiers aren't "mercenaries"

"The fact [that the Russian side calls the two Russian soldiers "mercenaries"] was mentioned by the lawyer– he can speak a lot, this is his job to convince someone of something. It does not mean that this is the official position of the Russian Federation. Secondly, the embassy considers the captives solely as citizens of the Russian Federation, whom we will protect. And we are taking all the necessary measures to do this," Grishin told Russia's Govoritmoskva radio station.

There is no threat to the two soldiers' life and their condition is stable, he said.

"According to recent reports, their wounds and the condition of their health are stable. They are provided with all required medical treatment," he added.