Thirty-two drivers who evacuated Mariupol citizens released from Russian captivity - media

Ukrinform informs about this with reference to Donbas 24.

"Volunteer drivers headed off for Mariupol from Zaporizhia late March and early April. Their families knew there would be no contact with them for some time, so they were waiting for some updates from their loved ones... Like thunder out of the blue they learned, the drivers have been detained," the report reads.

Relatives were initially informed about the "vetting," which would last a month. Then they extended the "custody term" for another month. The public information campaign "Volunteer is no terrorist" was launched at the end of May, when the relatives of the drivers learned that the volunteers have been charged with terrorism, which, according to the "DPR laws” could land suspects in prison for a term of up to 20 years.

Later, it was established that there are 33 volunteers (32 men and a woman) held in Correctional Colony No. 120 in the village of Olenivka. In mid-June, news arrived that some people were being released due to health issues. As of early July, 22 persons remained in the colony.

Currently, it is known that another volunteer driver - Serhii Tarasenko - is being held there.

As reported by Ukrinform, on June 29, a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war with the Russian Federation was completed. A total of 144 Ukrainian servicemen were released from captivity, including 95 Azovstal defenders.

Photo: Albina Lvivina