Ukraine mayor abducted by Russian troops released from captivity, officials say

A Ukrainian mayor who was kidnapped by Russian forces final week has been launched from captivity, officers mentioned Wednesday. 

The information that Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov was now not in Russian palms was introduced by Andriy Yermak, the pinnacle of the Workplace of the President of Ukraine. 

“Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov has been launched from Russian captivity,” he wrote in a Telegram publish.

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Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace, confirmed on Fb that Zelenskyy had spoken with Fedorov. Ukraine Protection Ministry posted a video of the president speaking to the mayor by way of cellphone. 

“We don’t abandon ours,” Zelenskyy mentioned, the ministry mentioned in a tweet. 

In an earlier publish, he mentioned a “particular operation aiming to free the mayor of Melitopol” had simply been efficiently accomplished.

Fedorov was taken March 11 whereas at a disaster heart in Melitopol and was led out the constructing with a plastic bag over his head, the Ukrainian parliament mentioned. 

He was accused by Moscow of terrorism. Ukraine’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs categorized the kidnapping of Fedorov and civilians as a warfare crime. 

In a social media publish on the time, the Ukrainian parliament mentioned 10 Russian troops had taken Fedorov and that “he refused to cooperate with the enemy.”

Russian forces have kidnapped three Ukrainian mayors since its invasion on Feb.24. 

On Wednesday, the Mayor of Skadovsk, Oleksandr Yakovlyev, and his deputy Yurii Palyukh, have been taken by Russian troops, Ukrainian Minister of Overseas Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, mentioned. 

Mayor of Skadovsk Oleksandr Yakovlyev and his deputy Yurii Palyukh have been each kidnapped Wednesday, in response to Ukrainian Minister of Overseas Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. 
(Ukrainian Minister of Overseas Affairs )

He mentioned Moscow continues “to abduct democratically elected native leaders in Ukraine” whereas sharing a selfie picture of Yakovlyev at a seashore. The publish got here simply earlier than Zelenskyy addressed Congress for much-needed help to fend off Moscow. 

Yakovlev later went on Fb Dwell and mentioned he had been launched. Particulars concerning the alleged abduction or whether or not it was filmed weren’t instantly obtainable. 

On Sunday, the Mayor of Dniprorudne, Matveev Sergeevich, was additionally kidnapped by Russian troops, in response to officers. 

“Getting zero native assist, invaders flip to terror,” Kuleba wrote on Twitter of that abduction. “I name on all states & worldwide organizations to cease Russian terror towards Ukraine and democracy.”