Ukraine evacuates sailors held captive by Yemeni Houthis

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine evacuated Ukrainian sailors. They had previously been released from captivity by Yemen's Houthis.

This was reported by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine press service via Telegram on Thursday, January 23.

Evacuation of Ukrainian sailors

It is known that on November 19, 2023 Ukrainian sailors were captured by Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea. Ukraine's operation to free them took more than a year: complex unofficial negotiations with the Houthis took place.

Military intelligence established the first direct contact with the captured sailors on April 3, 2024, and assured them that all possible measures were being taken to secure their release. On January 22, 2025, the sailors were released.

On the orders of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the DIU and MFA evacuated three Ukrainian crew members from the cargo ship Galaxy Leader. The operation was supported by the Royal Office of the Sultanate of Oman. The sailors are now on their way to their families and rehabilitation.

As a reminder, on January 1, the United States struck at the Yemeni Houthis, hitting the militants' command and control facility.

And on January 5, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile in the direction of Israel, and in response, the United States and Britain attacked the group in the city of Saada.