Russian militants hold 110 hostages, 3,100 released since ATO launched in Donbas, - SBU

Nearly 3,100 persons have been located and released from the terrorists’ captivity since the launch of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in Ukraine’s east. 110 people are still being held hostage and 490 are considered missing.

As reported by Censor.NET, this was said by adviser to the SBU Chief Yurii Tandit on air of 112 Ukraine TV channel.

"The publication of lists does not provide us the opportunity to speed up release of hostages and search of missing persons... There are authorized agencies directly involved in this process. Nearly 3,100 persons have been located and released. 110 persons are still being held hostage and 490 guys are being considered missing. We will search for these guys until we find the last of them. This is our mission, our duty," he said.

Tandit also said that if someone had an opportunity to help liberating the hostages, it should be done. However, it was important not to interfere with the security agencies, he added.

Earlier, independent MP Nadiia Savchenko published the lists of missing persons and hostages held in the "DPR"/"LPR" and the Russian Federation. She later said that the lists she published should be updated since they were incorrect as the information was collected over nine months and became outdated.