Five Britons who have been detained by Russian-backed separatists in japanese Ukraine have been launched and are being safely returned, Liz Truss has stated.
The prime minister tweeted: “Hugely welcome information that 5 British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in japanese Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and struggling for them and their households.
“I thank @ZelenskyyUa for his efforts to secure the release of detainees, and Saudi Arabia for their assistance.
“Russia should finish the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of warfare and civilian detainees for political ends.”
Health Secretary Robert Jenrick stated a kind of freed was his constituent Aiden Aslin.
In June, he was one in all two British males captured by Russian forces and accused of being a mercenary.
They appeared earlier than a courtroom within the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, a breakaway area in Ukraine’s east.
The identities of these launched are but to be confirmed by the federal government.
Mr Jenrick tweeted: “I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK.”
He stated he was “deeply grateful” to the Ukrainian authorities, in addition to the Saudi Crown Prince and the ‘detainees group’ on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who he stated have been concerned in securing the discharge.
“Aiden’s return brings to an end, months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden’s loving family in Newark, who suffered every day of Aiden’s sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomed the discharge.
He stated prisoners of warfare from different nations held by Russia-backed proxies had additionally been returned.
“This brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia,” he added.
Though he additionally remembered Paul Urey, a British help volunteer who died earlier this 12 months whereas being detained in related circumstances and stated “our thoughts remain with the family”.
Source: information.sky.com”