2 Americans captured in Ukraine freed by Russia

WASHINGTON

Two Americans who traveled to Ukraine to help defend against Russia's assault on its eastern European neighbor have been freed, their families and a US lawmaker said Wednesday.

Alexander John-Robert Drueke, 39, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh, 27, of Hartselle, Alabama, were captured after fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in the northeast Kharkiv region in June.

Their families confirmed their release in a statement reported by multiple US news outlets. They are currently at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia and will return to the US following medical checks and a "debriefing."

"We are thrilled to announce that Alex and Andy are free," said the families. "We deeply appreciate everyone's prayers and especially the close communication and support of our elected officials, Ukrainian Ambassador (Oksana) Markarova, and our members of the US embassies in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia and the US Department of State."

Congressman Robert Aderholt of Alabama separately confirmed their release, saying he is "thankful and relieved" they have been freed.

"My office is working to get more information from the United States Department of State about the health of these men and how soon they will be brought home to their families in the U.S.," he said in a statement. "I know we all look forward to seeing them back safely, on American soil."

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss separately announced that "five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned."

Their release ends "months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families," Truss wrote on Twitter.