The US government says it is "appalling" that a top Kremlin official has suggested two Americans, captured by the Russians while fighting with Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv, might receive the death penalty.
The threat was made by President Putin's spokesman in an interview with a US TV network.
The whereabouts of the two men is unclear.
At the White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:
IN: "We still are…."
OUT: "…were in Ukraine"
DUR: 16 seconds