Kiev reported the release of three Ukrainian sailors from the captivity of the Houthis

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the military intelligence service have evacuated three Ukrainian crew members of the Galaxy Leader merchant ship freed from the captivity of the Yemeni Houthis in the course of a "joint operation", the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the military intelligence service have reported on 23 January. This was reported by The Kyiv Independent on January 23, citing the country's Foreign Ministry.

In its statement, the ministry did not provide more detailed information about the release of the sailors. At the same time, it noted that they "are under the care of Ukrainian diplomats, in good condition and have all the necessary documents".

The Foreign Ministry added that Ukraine had been negotiating the release of its citizens since the seizure of the ship in 2023.

According to the portal, the 25-member multinational crew also included sailors from Romania, Mexico, Bulgaria and the Philippines.

The release of the crew of the ship, seized in 2023, by theHouthis was reported the day before by Al Masirah TV channel. It was specified that the decision to release was made in support of the deal between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been in effect since January 19. Those on board were taken to Omani territory.

In November 2023, the Houthis began striking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to protest Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip. That's when they seized the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, assuming it was Israeli.

According to media reports, 25 people on board were citizens of Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania. The Russian Embassy in Yemen clarified that there were no Russians on board.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas subjected the territory of Israel to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.