Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh were fighting with Ukrainian forces against Russia when they disappeared. After being held captive for three months they have been released. They went missing on June 9 in northeastern Ukraine, near a Russian border.
The families announced their release in a joint statement from Dianna Shaw, an aunt of Drueke.
“They are safely in the custody of the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the states,” the statement said.
Shaw said both men have spoken with relatives in the United States and are in “pretty good shape,” according to an official with the U.S. embassy.
The family’s statement has been confirmed by the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
“The United States is appreciative of Ukraine including all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, in its negotiations, and we look forward to these U.S. citizens being reunited with their families,” he wrote. “We also thank our Saudi partners for helping to spearhead this humanitarian initiative and facilitating the return of ten foreign nationals, including the two U.S. citizens greeted earlier today by our embassy team in Riyadh.”
Blinken reiterated the dangers of traveling to Ukraine and joining the war there.
“Americans who travel to Ukraine to participate in the fighting there face significant risks and the United States cannot guarantee their safety,” he said. “We encourage U.S. citizens to devote their energies towards the many other opportunities that exist to help the country of Ukraine and its people.”
Both men lived in Alabama and “bonded over their home state and were together when their unit came under heavy fire.” They both couldn’t quit thinking about what was happening in Ukraine and wanted to help. Everyone is thankful for their release and can’t wait for them to be home.
Source CBS News
