Ukrainian hostages released in Crimea

Ukrainian hostages – civil activists and military men – were released in Crimea, UNIAN reports. Anatoli Kovalski and Andrei Shchekun were released at the administrative border of Crimea and Herson Oblast. These people were exchanged for others, some sources report.

Verkhovna Rada member Anatoli Gritsenko reported it on Facebook. His son, Automaidan activist Alexei Gritsenko, was among the people detained by representatives of the self-declared Crimean government.

Admiral Sergei Gaiduk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Forces and civil activists Mikhail Davydenko, Maksim Trividenko, Serghei Suprun and Yuri Shevchenko were also released.

Acting President of Ukraine Alexander Turchinov presented an ultimatum to release the hostages on the evening of March 19.