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Reuters

Russia on Wednesday released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine following mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi foreign ministry said.
The freed prisoners were American, British, Croatian, Moroccan and Swedish nationals, the ministry said in a statement, adding that a plane carrying the prisoners landed in the kingdom.
“The relevant Saudi authorities received and transferred them from Russia to the kingdom and are facilitating procedures for their respective countries,” the statement said.
The ministry did not identify the prisoners. A Saudi official said they were five Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, a Moroccan and a Swedish national.

Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 21, 2022

US citizens Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, were among those released, a family representative said on Wednesday.
The pair, both from Alabama, were captured in June while fighting in eastern Ukraine where they went to support Ukrainian troops resisting Russia’s invasion.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss hailed the release of the British nationals on Twitter as “hugely welcome news” after “months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families”.
British lawmaker Robert Jenrick said Aiden Aslin was among those released. He was captured earlier this year then sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), one of Russia’s proxies in eastern Ukraine.
‘I’m alive’: US fighters captured in Ukraine surface in Russian TV videos
Large numbers of foreigners have travelled to Ukraine to fight since Russia’s February 24 invasion. Some of them have been caught by Russian forces, along with other foreigners in the country who say they were not fighters.
Reuters could not immediately establish if the released group included Britons Shaun Pinner and Morocco-born Brahim Saadoun who were also captured and sentenced to death in Donetsk.
A Swedish citizen, captured at the port city of Mariupol and facing a possible death sentence under the laws of the DPR, was among those released, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde confirmed.
“I can confirm that the Swede who in May was taken into custody by Russian forces is free and on his way to Sweden,” Linde told Swedish news agency TT on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Prince Mohammed has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including within the framework of the OPEC+ oil producers group, despite heavy pressure from Washington, Riyadh’s traditional ally, to isolate Russia.
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have captured hundreds of enemy fighters since the start of the conflict, with a handful of prisoner exchanges having taken place.
The head of the UN human rights mission in Ukraine said earlier this month that Russia was not allowing access to prisoners of war, adding that the UN had evidence that some had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment that could amount to war crimes.
Russia denies torture or other forms of maltreatment of POWs.


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Ukraine war

Russia releases 10 foreigners captured in Ukraine

This combination photo shows US military veterans Andy Huynh (left) and Alexander Drueke, who have been released after being captured while fighting Russia in Ukraine. Photos: The Decatur Daily/Lois “Bunny” Drueke/Dianna Shaw via AP

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Buenos Aires in November 2018. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war: Russia calls up 300,000 reservists as Putin vows ‘all means’ for defence

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the nation in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Russian Presidential Press Service 

A hoarding with the slogan ‘Glory to the Heroes of Russia’ in St Petersburg, Russia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Destroyed Russian armour in Izium, a town recently liberated by Ukrainian troops in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

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Russia’s Aeroflot said it was not limiting ticket sales. Photo: Reuters

A hoarding promoting contract army service displayed in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo: AFP

Russia sets date to annex occupied Ukraine regions amid battlefield setbacks

A man walks through the ruins of a building destroyed by shelling in Kadiivka, Ukraine’s Luhansk region. Photo: Reuters

Ukrainian soldiers ride on an armoured personnel carrier in the city of Izium in the Kharkiv region, which was recently recaptured by them. Photo: SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

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Those freed include US citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, and British national Aiden Aslin, who had been sentenced to death in Donetsk
The prisoners were released after mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has maintained ties with Putin despite US pressure


Those freed include US citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, and British national Aiden Aslin, who had been sentenced to death in Donetsk.


Russia releases 10 foreigners captured in Ukraine

Those freed include US citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, and British national Aiden Aslin, who had been sentenced to death in Donetsk The prisoners were released after mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has maintained ties with Putin despite US pressure

Those freed include US citizens Alexander Drueke and Andy Huynh, and British national Aiden Aslin, who had been sentenced to death in Donetsk

The prisoners were released after mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has maintained ties with Putin despite US pressure