{{Seven international military observers seized by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have been freed, Russia media say.}}<\/p>\n
The observers, linked to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, were seized in the town of Sloviansk on 25 April.<\/p>\n
Five Ukrainian officers taken with them were also freed, the reports said.<\/p>\n
The news comes as Ukraine’s government resumed military action to tackle the separatists in the east.<\/p>\n
Russia’s RIA news agency quoted Vladimir Lukin, an envoy sent by President Vladimir Putin to negotiate the release, as saying: “All the 12 people who have been on my list have been released.”<\/p>\n
The Associated Press news agency quoted local insurgent leader Vyacheslav Ponomaryov as confirming the releases.<\/p>\n
The agency also said that one of its reporters had seen one of the observers, German Col Axel Schneider, and his Ukrainian translator walk free.<\/p>\n
Western leaders had condemned the abductions.<\/p>\n
On Friday, US President Barack Obama again called for the observers to be released, saying their abduction was “inexcusable” and “disgraceful”.<\/p>\n
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said earlier that the release of the seven – four Germans, a Dane, a Pole and a Czech – would be “an important step” in easing tensions in the region.<\/p>\n
wirestory<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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