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Russians, Ukrainians Released From Captivity In Iraq


Moscow, 13 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Russian officials say five Ukrainian and three Russian employees of an energy firm who were kidnapped in Iraq are now free.

The announcement came today from both the financial director of the Interenergoservis energy firm, Aleksandr Abramov, and an unnamed official at the Russian Embassy in Baghdad.

Russia is not a coalition partner in Iraq, but Ukraine has contributed troops to U.S.-led efforts in the country.

Meanwhile, there have been no reports of developments concerning the fate of three Japanese nationals kidnapped in Iraq last week.

Three Czech journalists and seven U.S. workers are missing and are feared to have been abducted in Iraq.

Seven Chinese citizens were released from captivity yesterday.

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