The US military on Sunday denounced the release of a video showing a soldier captured in Afghanistan, saying the images were Taliban propaganda that violated international law.

Military spokesman Captain Jon Stock said the man in the video was indeed the missing soldier, whose name has not been released. The military says he went missing in late June.

"The use of the soldier for propaganda purposes we view as against international law," Stock said. "We are continuing to do whatever possible to recover the soldier safe and unharmed."

The soldier appeared with his head shaven, speaking to camera.

The U.S. military has been distributing leaflets this week seeking his release. The soldier is the first U.S. service member believed to have been captured in Afghanistan since 2002.

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