Ukraine's intelligence and MFA free three sailors from Houthi captivity

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the information.

On the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, successfully evacuated three Ukrainian sailors, crew members of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, who were held captive by Yemeni Houthis. 

“The operation to rescue Ukrainian citizens took place with the full support and assistance of the Royal Office of the Sultanate of Oman. We express our sincere gratitude to our Omani partners for their assistance in the liberation of our people,” the statement said.

Ukrainian sailors were captured by Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea on November 19, 2023. 

According to intelligence, the military established the first direct contact with the captured Ukrainians on April 3, 2024. The Ukrainian citizens were released on January 22, 2025. 

“Today, three Ukrainians are already safe and under the care of Ukrainian diplomats, in good physical condition and have all the necessary documents. They will return to Ukraine soon,” the Ministry said.

• The Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader was seized by Houthis back in November 2023 off the Yemeni coast of the Red Sea as it was heading from Turkey to India. The militants later published a video of the operation.  Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs then responded to the seizure of the ship in the Red Sea and instructed the Ukrainian embassies involved to check information about the possible presence of Ukrainians on board, as well as to contact the owner company to find out the exact composition of the ship's crew and other details.
• Yemeni Houthis released 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader, including Ukrainians. The Galaxy Leader was seized in November 2023.