Russia has released two US citizens, Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, in a prisoner swap deal brokered by Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported.
Drueke and Huynh, from the state of Alabama, were captured in June while fighting in eastern Ukraine, where they went to support Ukrainian troops against the Russian invasion.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss shared on her official Twitter account that she welcomes the release of five British citizens captured in Ukraine following the mediation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The news of the safe return of five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families, is gratifying. Russia must end the brutal exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian prisoners for political purposes,” said Truss. ” said.
ORIGINAL WAS SENTENTED TO DEATH
British MP Robert Jenrick said that British citizen Aiden Aslin is among the prisoners released by Russia after the mediation of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He was originally caught earlier this year and subsequently sentenced to death by a court in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), which was de facto established in eastern Ukraine with Russian support.
