Vice reporter Simon Ostrovsky has been freed from captivity in Ukraine, Vice confirms in a statement to Poynter: “VICE News is delighted to confirm that our colleague and friend Simon Ostrovsky has been safely released and is in good health. We would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Out of respect for Simon and his family’s privacy, we have no further statement at this time.”
BBC’s acting Moscow bureau chief tweeted the news:
Simon Ostrovsky is free – BBC has spoken to him direct. He is on his way to Donetsk.
— Kevin Bishop (@bishopk) April 24, 2014
Ostrovsky was held by militia in Eastern Ukraine, Brian Ries reported for Mashable on Tuesday.
Terrific that @SimonOstrovsky is free. But several journalists are still being held hostage. They must be let go now. http://t.co/CpJsk7msPR
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 24, 2014