By Talha Yavuz
KYIV, Ukraine (AA) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced Saturday the release of six Ukrainian sailors previously kidnapped by pirates in Nigerian territorial waters.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukrainian diplomats and everyone who had a stake in the sailors' release.
"Our citizens are safe and we expect their return to their homeland soon," Zelensky wrote on Instagram.
A crew of eight, including six Ukrainians, were kidnapped Dec. 16, when pirates attacked the ship, Stevia, off the coast of Nigeria.
*Writing by Merve Berker