Liz Truss Says Five British POWs Held By Russian-Backed Separatists Have Been Released
British Prime Minister Liz Truss has said that five Britons who were being held by Russian forces in the east of Ukraine have been released.
Liz Truss tweeted: "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."
The new British Prime Minister thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Saudi Arabia for their assistance.
She added: "Russia must end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends."
According to health minister Robern Jenrick, one of the released prisoners was his constituent, Aiden Aslin.
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 added that he was "deeply grateful" to the Ukrainian government, as well as the Saudi Crown Prince and the "detainees team" at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who were all said to have been involved in securing the release.
He said: "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."
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