Two Americans who went missing in Ukraine after volunteering to fight invading Russian forces received an emotional homecoming after being sent back to the states as part of a prisoner exchange.
Military veterans Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27, disappeared June 9 in Ukraine’s western Kharkiv region after traveling on their own to fight in the war-torn country.
The pair touched down at New York’s Kennedy Airport Friday before arriving in their home state of Alabama to great fanfare Saturday.
“It’s them!” a family member shouted as the daring duo descended an escalator at Birmingham’s airport before being welcomed into the loving arms of family members.
It was an emotional greeting by family members who, at one point, feared the worse for their loved ones. AP“Surreal. I still have chill bumps. I always imagined this day. I always held not just hope but belief in this day. But I thought it was going to be two or three years from now at best,” said Drueke’s aunt, Dianna Shaw.
“There are prisoners of war who have been held for months and years. There are people who have been detained wrongfully for years and for this to come about in three months is, just, unimaginable to me,” she added. “Even though I’m living it, it feels unimaginable, and I don’t want people to forget all the Ukrainians who are still being held.”
“I had to get my hands on him to actually believe it. I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude. We got our miracle,” said Darla Black, whose daughter is engaged to Huynh.
The men were flown into JFK airport in New York City on Friday before returning to Alabama. APThe release of Drueke and Huynh was announced Wednesday as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia.
Eight other prisoners from Morocco, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia were also freed by Russian separatists, according to the Saudi embassy .
“We’re looking forward to spending time with family and we’ll be in touch with the media soon,” Drueke said after the pair touched down in Queens. “Happy to be home.”
With Post wires
