Somalia's anti-government forces take four Ukrainians prisoner

Spokesman for Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Ministry Oleh Nikolenko said this.

"Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the capture of four Ukrainians in Somalia, controlled by anti-government forces. Our citizens were members of the crew of a helicopter of the UN Mission in Somalia that crashed. They have been identified. Along with the Ukrainians, there were also five foreigners on board," the statement says.

Ukraine's Embassy in Kenya and Ukraine's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York have already received urgent instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to take the necessary measures.

The helicopter that crashed belonged to a Ukrainian private company. It was performing contract transportation for the UN.

"We are finding out all the details of the crash and abduction, the condition of the Ukrainians, and establishing contact with the helicopter's owner to coordinate actions. We are keeping this situation under special control together with other involved agencies of our state," Nikolenko added.

• On January 12, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that four Ukrainian sailors were being held captive by the Houthis. Ukraine is working on their release.