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‘Mum, Don’t Cry. I’ll Be Home soon.’ Ukrainian Journalist Secretly Held by Russia for Three Years Is Released

Dmytro Khilyuk was freed alongside seven other civilians after over three years in captivity, highlighting ongoing concerns over 16,000 Ukrainians held in Russia, Kyiv officials said.

  • Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khilyuk, who was detained by Russian authorities without contact for over three years, was freed on Sunday during a prisoner swap between Moscow and Kyiv.
  • Khilyuk and seven other civilians were released alongside soldiers after being captured by Russian forces while trying to obtain supplies in their village of Kozarovychi, north of Kyiv, in 2022.
  • Shortly after crossing back into Ukraine, Khilyuk called his mother, expressing his awareness of her concern for him and assuring her that he would return home soon.
  • Ukraine’s President Zelensky confirmed the release of eight civilians, sharing their photos on Telegram, while Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters reported that nearly all of those freed had been held captive for over three years.
  • The exchange highlights the continuing detention of about 30 Ukrainian journalists in Russia and more than 16,000 civilians held illegally under international law.
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The researcher is serving a three-year sentence in a prison in Moscow. Called for a new hearing this Monday, he faces up to 20 years in prison for "espionage".

·Paris, France
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+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
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Ukrainian journalist held secretly by Russia for three years is released in exchange

A Ukrainian journalist who has been held incommunicado by Russia for more than three years has been released on Sunday as part of the latest prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv.

·Atlanta, United States
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Lean Left

On August 24, Independence Day, as part of another exchange, Ukraine returned 146 people from Russian captivity, including the correspondent of the UNIAN news agency Dmitry Khilyuk.

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A Ukrainian journalist held in solitary confinement by Russia for more than three years was released on Sunday, Ukraine's Independence Day, in the latest prisoner swap between Moscow and Kiev. "The Russians treated us like cattle."

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babel.ua broke the news in on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
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