Putin tells Russian diplomats to ‘strive’ for release of hostage Sasha Trufanov

Russian President Vladimir Putin urges his Foreign Ministry to “strive” to work toward the release of Russian-Israeli hostage Sasha Trufanov.

Addressing a meeting of his security council, Putin notes that “some hostages have been released,” but that a Russian dual citizen still remains captive in Gaza.

“I would request that, within the Foreign Ministry, along with colleagues from other relevant agencies, efforts are made to address this matter,” Putin says, according to an English-language readout of the meeting released by the Kremlin. “Do not overlook it, and strive to ensure the release of our citizen.”

Trufanov, 29, was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, along with his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend, while his father, Vitaly, was murdered. His mother, Yelena, grandmother, Irena, and girlfriend, Sapir, were all released as part of the November 2023 truce.

Trufanov is on the list of the 33 hostages slated to be freed during the six-week first stage of the ceasefire, which went into effect yesterday, although as a young man, he is expected not to be released until the end of the six weeks.