**Three Ukrainian Sailors Return Home**
Three Ukrainian sailors who were held captive by Houthi militants for 14 months have returned to Ukraine. The sailors, who were part of the Galaxy Leader commercial vessel’s crew, were captured in November 2023 while sailing through the Red Sea.
The sailors arrived back in Odesa on January 25, where they were greeted by their families. A video of the emotional reunion was shared online. Ukrainian authorities had been leading talks with the Houthi militants to secure the release of their citizens.
**Release Due to Regional De-escalation Efforts**
The decision to release the sailors came as part of regional de-escalation efforts in the wake of the ceasefire in Gaza. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) and the Foreign Ministry confirmed the release on January 23.
“We are pleased that our citizens have been released,” said Olha Mosyondz, a HUR representative. “This was made possible by the well-coordinated work of many people.”
**Other Nationals Also Released**
The Galaxy Leader’s crew included sailors from Romania, Mexico, Bulgaria, and the Philippines. Authorities in these countries also confirmed the release of their citizens.
**Background on the Captivity**
The Houthis claimed they had captured the Bahamas-flagged vessel due to its connection to Israel, as the ship is associated with a Tel Aviv businessman. However, this claim has not been verified.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently designated the Iran-backed Houthi movement as a terrorist group, which could impact efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea.
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