Zelensky warns Russia against putting Ukraine soldiers on trial

A Ukranian soldier walks along a narrow path leading to and from their basement base, close to the frontline, in southern Ukraine on August 20

Russia might take the provocative step of putting Ukrainian soldiers on trial as Kyiv marks 31 years of independence for the war-ravaged country next week, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Sunday.

Zelensky cited media reports that Russia was preparing to put Ukrainian fighters captured during the siege of Mariupol on a public trial to coincide with the independence anniversary Wednesday.