Russia Hands Over Ukrainian Freed in Afghanistan to Ukraine

Ukrainian citizen, Dmytro Bilyi, who was released in the result of a joint effort of Russia and Afghanistan, is now handed over by Russia to Ukraine.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia has handed over to Ukraine a liberated Ukrainian national, Dmytro Bilyi, who had been kidnapped by Afghan insurgents, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced.

"On September 2 the official transfer procedure was held at the Russian Embassy in Kabul," the ministry said in a Facebook post, adding that Bilyi was handed over to Ukrainian diplomats.

The liberation of the Ukrainian national was successful thanks to Russia’s close cooperation with the Afghan side, according to the ministry.

"During his stay on the territory of the Russian Embassy in Kabul the Ukrainian national was provided with everything he needed, including qualified medical assistance," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.

Afghanistan is in a state of political and social turmoil, with the Taliban expanding its insurgency across the country and Islamic State (IS) militants taking advantage of the instability to gain a foothold in the country.