After their families reported that they had lost contact with them in early June, photos started appearing online via Ukrainian and Russian social media that showed the men in captivity. "I know we all look forward to seeing them back safely, on American soil."ĭrueke's family told ABC News they were able to speak with Drueke on the phone for about 10 minutes on Wednesday from Saudi Arabia, during which Drueke said he and Huynh were at a hospital being evaluated and were then going to be taken to an apartment to sleep.ĭrueke, an Army veteran, and Huynh, a former Marine, both left Alabama for Ukraine in April and met there. "I want to say how thankful and relieved I am that they have been freed," he said. State Department on the health of the men and how soon they will be back in the U.S. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., said in a statement that his office is working to get more information from the U.S. The prisoners of war also included Moroccan, U.K., Swedish and Croatian nationals, the ministry said. nationals - as part of an exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that "mediation efforts" on behalf of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led to the release of 10 prisoners of war - among them U.S. "We deeply appreciate everyone's prayers and especially the close communication and support of our elected officials, Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova, and our members of the US embassies in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia and the US Department of State," the statement continued. "They are safely in the custody of the US embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the States." "We are thrilled to announce that Alex and Andy are free," the families said. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, their families announced in a joint statement on Wednesday. They are currently in the custody of the U.S.
(NEW YORK) - Two Americans who were being held captive by Russian-backed forces after volunteering to fight with Ukrainian forces have been released, their families said.Īlexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, both military veterans from Alabama, were reported missing by their families following a fight in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine in June.
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