A Ukrainian mayor taken captive by Vladimir Putin’s forces has been freed in exchange for nine captured Russian soldiers, it was reported today.
Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol in south-eastern Ukraine, was detained last Friday when a group of armed Russians barged into city hall and escorted him out with a bag over his head.
Young prisoners of war from Russia were exchanged in order to secure his release, the Interfax news agency reported.
“Ivan Fedorov was released from Russian captivity… for him, Russia received nine captured soldiers who were born in 2002 and 2003. These are actually children,” an official said.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s office welcomed his release after what was described as a “special operation”.
A clip was later shared of Mr Zelensky on the phone to Mr Fedorov, telling him: “Glad to hear your voice”.
Thanking the president, Mr Fedorov said he intends to get back to work in the contested city, which is home to 150,000 people.
Mr Zelensky previously described the abduction of the mayor and other local officials as a war crime and act of terrorism.