[Sun UK] SHAUN Pinner was a retired and decorated British soldier, living a peaceful and happy life in Mariupol with his Ukrainian family when Putin’s forces invaded in February 2022.

The Hertfordshire-born ex-squaddie signed up to fight for his adopted home, explaining that he saw it as "a battle between good and evil" - only to be captured by Russian forces in April 2022.

In an exclusive interview yesterday Shaun revealed how calls to the Sun news desk during his six months captivity helped keep him sane.

And now, in extracts from his new book, he reveals in chilling detail how he was subjected to sadistic torture by men he believes were Russian Spetsnaz special forces operatives.