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A new video has surfaced on Russian state television showing two U.S. military veterans from Alabama who went missing last week while fighting in Ukraine. The footage confirms that the men were taken captive by Russians and raise fears about their fate. Learn more in the video above.Alex Drueke, of Tuscaloosa, and Andy Huynh, of Lawrence County, are believed to be the first Americans captured by Russian forces since the war began on Feb. 24. Drueke left the U.S. in mid-April, entering Poland legally and making contact with Ukrainian forces from there to volunteer. He moved from unit to unit, helping train Ukrainian soldiers in using the equipment they were receiving from other nations. Drueke is shown on camera telling his mother he is alive. Russian RT, which broadcasts in English, says the Americans are being held by Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.The Drueke family spokesperson tells us that the U.S. State Department is working to authenticate them. Alex's mother Lois "Bunny" Drueke says she is confident this is indeed her son because of his body language, posture, and unique deep voice; however, she cautions anyone viewing them to remember that prisoners of war are routinely made to say things that serve the propaganda of the captors."At this point, we aren't sure who actually is holding the men and where they are," Lois Drueke said. "But I'm greatly relieved to know Alex is alive and see that he's in relatively good shape. I listen to the snip of him saying 'I love you Mom' while I try to fall asleep.""Alex told me before he left that he was too old to fight, but he had the know-how to help train and so that's what he volunteered to do," she added.The families are in regular contact with their congressional representatives in congress including Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and the office of Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). The family said it gets daily briefings from either Shelby's office or directly from the State Department, and is encouraged that they seem to be doing all they can to secure the men's safety and their quick release.Lois Drueke said she last spoke with her son by telephone on June 5. She received a text from Drueke on June 8 when he informed her he would be “going dark for almost all of tomorrow. Possibly the next day too.�� She received a phone call from another member of the unit in the early hours of June 13 to inform her the unit had come under fire and scattered, and that Drueke and Huynh were as of yet unaccounted for. Two days later, photos and videos began surfacing on Ukrainian and Russian social media showing what is believed to be the two men in captivity."We can certainly feel the prayers and good thoughts so many people are sending our way," said Lois Drueke. "Please keep them up. And please also call your elected officials to ask them to keep pressing for the men's release."On Friday, President Joe Biden spoke about the situation in Washington."I have been briefed," Biden said. "We don't know where they are but I want to reiterate Americans shouldn't be going to Ukraine now, I am gonna say it again, Americans shouldn't be going to Ukraine now."The family said they are optimistic that Alex's experience, skills and determination will carry him through whatever he faces."Remember, he's had two tours in Iraq and has hiked the Appalachian Trail, so he is no stranger to tough situations," said one of Alex Drueke's aunts. "Our family hasn't exactly been here before, but we've been in the neighborhood."Get the �������� 13 app for the latest updates.