Russia Frees Kidnapped Melitopol Mayor In Exchange For 9 Soldiers

Russia launched the elected mayor of southern Ukrainian port metropolis Melitopol on Wednesday in change for 9 captured Russian troopers, the Ukraine president’s workplace mentioned.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in a video posted on Telegram early Thursday that he spoke to Mayor Ivan Fedorov after he was freed by Russian forces. Fedorov was launched 5 days after video confirmed him being kidnapped by Russian troopers.

“We've lastly managed to launch the mayor of Melitopol from captivity,” Zelenskyy mentioned, based on the interpretation included within the video. “Our Ukrainian metropolis of Melitopol, which didn't submit and won't undergo the occupiers. Ivan Fedorov is free. I talked to him in the present day. The Russian navy kidnapped him on March 11, making an attempt to influence him to collaborate. However our man withstood. He didn't hand over. Simply as all of us endure.”

Video printed in The Guardian confirmed Russian troopers taking Fedorov away on Friday.

Ukraine negotiated the mayor’s launch by exchanging him for 9 captured Russian troopers, mentioned Daria Zarivna, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s president’s workplace, based on The Related Press.

Russia “bought 9 of its captive troopers, born in 2002-2003 — virtually youngsters — conscripts Russia’s Protection Ministry mentioned weren’t there,” Zarivna mentioned.

Residents of Melitopol had taken to the streets after the kidnapping to protest.

Locals in Melitopol, a southern Ukrainian city captured by Russia, protest in opposition to the reported kidnapping of their mayor. Video by way of Zelensky’s workplace pic.twitter.com/139ld4KKly

— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 12, 2022

Ukraine Minister of International Affairs Dmytro Kuleba drew consideration to these protests and known as on Western leaders to assist defend democracy within the nation, tweeting a photograph of the mayor.

Russian battle criminals abduct democratically elected mayors of Ukrainian cities. On March 11 they kidnapped mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov. Locals maintain protests demanding to free him. I name on states & worldwide organizations to cease Russian terror in opposition to Ukraine & democracy. pic.twitter.com/3FXi7y90Pn

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 13, 2022

Russia put in its personal “mayor” in Melitopol following Fedorov’s seize. That official, Galina Dalinichenko, known as the protests “extremist” and mentioned folks ought to “modify to the brand new actuality,” based on the Monetary Instances.

After Russian forces kidnapped the mayor of Melitopol in southern Ukraine, native lawmaker Galina Dalinichenko says "a committee of the folks's chosen ones" will probably be in cost.

She urges locals to "modify to the brand new actuality" and says protests are "extremist," a Russian buzzword. pic.twitter.com/o9pEisrPJa

— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 13, 2022

Ukraine’s prosecutor common started investigating Dalinichenko for treason on Monday following a written request by the Melitopol Metropolis Council, based on CNN.

Russia’s International Ministry declared it had captured the town of Melitopol on Feb. 26, based on Reuters.