Kyiv. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov, who was allegedly kidnapped by the Russian military on March 11, has been released from captivity. This information was given by the Ukrainian government. The report was confirmed on Wednesday by the deputy head of the presidential office, Kyrilo Timoshenko.
Timoshenko said that a special operation was launched to release Fedorov from Russian captivity.
Meanwhile, the head of the presidential office Andrey Yermak said that after the release of Fedorov, he held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Citing media reports, the BBC reports that Fedorov was released in exchange for nine Russian prisoners.
Speaking on Ukrainian television, one of Zelensky’s press secretary said the Russian soldiers were between 18 and 19 years old.
Earlier this week, the military administration of the Zaporizhzhya region said that Fedorov had been moved to the Russian-occupied Luhansk region. People protested after his abduction.
On Monday, Russian forces blocked a protest rally in Burdiansk demanding the release of Fedorov.
“Armed Russian soldiers surrounded the square and clashed with the people. The occupying forces retaliated with loudspeakers warning of a ban on rallies,” the military administration said.
Since Russia launched its offensive on February 24, there have been several kidnappings.
On March 10, Russian forces kidnapped Leyla Ibragimova, a deputy of the Zaporizhzhya Regional Council in Melitopol. He was later released.
On March 12, during a protest in the city, activist Olga Lyubumova was kidnapped.
—AnyTV News
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