Ukrainian authorities have announced the release of the mayor of Melitopol, in southern Ukraine, who was kidnapped by the Russians on March 11.
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In a video posted to Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with him on the phone and said he was “glad to hear the voice of a man alive.”
“I am much better. Thank you for not giving up on me. I need a day or two to recover, and then I will be at your service to contribute to our victory,” replied Mayor Ivan Fedorov.
The latter was arrested when he was in a crisis center in his city dealing with supply issues.
The next day, Volodymyr Zelensky called his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to ask them to help secure Mr. Fedorov’s release.
Another mayor of the southern city of Dniborrodny was taken over on Sunday. The European Union has condemned these kidnappings.
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