As a result of the operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, three sailors from the crew of the ship Galaxy Leader have been successfully returned. They were captured by insurgents in November 2023.
"I still can’t believe that I’m home… I am very grateful to everyone involved, especially to the representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate. They were the first to get in touch with us. After that conversation, there were no more doubts or fears – they know about us, we will be brought back," said one of the freed captives, as quoted by the agency.