From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Abducted Melitopol mayor freed, speaks to Zelensky
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleThe mayor of the southeastern Ukrainian city of Melitopol has been freed after he was seized by Russian forces five days ago, a Ukrainian official said Wednesday.
Andriy Yermak, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, announces the news, but does not share details about how Ivan Fedorov became free.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry posts a video of Zelensky speaking to Fedorov.
Президент України @ZelenskyyUa поспілкувався зі звільненим із полону мером Мелітополя Іваном Федоровим.
"Мы не бросаем наших", – зазначив Президент. pic.twitter.com/Uiyj9gF1RQ
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 16, 2022
Surveillance video last week showed Fedorov being marched out of city hall apparently surrounded by Russian soldiers.
Prior to the start of the invasion, US President Joe Biden’s administration had warned of Russian plans to detain and kill targeted people in Ukraine, with Zelensky himself likely the top target.
The Times of Israel Community.