Two American vets captured this summer while fighting alongside the Ukrainian military were released on Wednesday — part of a deal brokered by Saudi Arabia to free 10 foreigners held by the Kremlin.
Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, were captured in June during a fierce firefight in Ukraine’s Kharkiv province.
The pair, both from Alabama, was among 10 foreign fighters released Wednesday by Russia. The group includes five Britons, one Croatian, one Moroccan and a Swedish national, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The relevant Saudi authorities received and transferred them from Russia to the kingdom and are facilitating procedures for their respective countries,” the ministry said.
British national Aiden Aslin — who was sentenced to death earlier this year by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic after he was captured defending the ruined port city of Mariupol — was also among those released, according to British lawmaker Robert Jenrick.
The 10 prisoners released include five British citizens, one Moroccan, one Swede, one Croat and two Americans. Saudi Press Agency/Handout VIA REUTERS
1. Lyman: A strategically important town in the northern portion of Donetsk, Lyman and its outskirts have been the site of intense fighting for over a week. 2. Lysychansk: Occupying the high ground on the west bank of the Siversky Donets River, Lysychansk was the Ukrainian army’s last holdout in the Luhansk province before it was overrun in July. Ukrainian forces are now estimated to be within 10 miles of retaking the city. 3. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: Europe’s largest power plant is effectively on the front line of the conflict — and in constant danger of being caught in the crossfire, according to a UN report 4. Melitopol: The largest city in the Russian-occupied portion of the Zaporizhzhia province, Melitopol has been a hotbed of Ukrainian guerrilla activity and attacks on occupation authorities.
The Swedish citizen, who has not yet been identified, was also facing a death sentence after being captured in Mariupol, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said.
Saudi Arabia has maintained close ties with Russia during the Ukraine war, despite pressure from Washington.
With Post wires
