Two Americans Captured Fighting For Ukraine Dodge Russian Firing Squad
By Greg Wilson
Two U.S. veterans from Alabama branded “soldiers of fortune” by Moscow after being captured fighting for Ukraine have been spared their date with a firing squad after a Saudi-brokered prisoner swap.
Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, who were captured in June while defending Kharkiv, were at the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia after being freed in the exchange, a representative of their families told Reuters Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to announce that Alex and Andy are free,” the representative said in a statement. “We deeply appreciate everyone’s prayers and especially the close communication and support of our elected officials, Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova, and our members of the US embassies in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Department of State.”
JUST IN: Ten foreign fighters, including two Americans who joined the war effort in Ukraine before they were captured and held by Russian forces, were released as part of an exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine. https://t.co/gSAneEZIym
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 21, 2022