MENU
Documenting
war crimes in Ukraine

The Tribunal for Putin (T4P) global initiative was set up in response to the all-out war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.

Abducted press photographer released

23.05.2014   
Milana Omelchuk, a 22-year-old press photographer was taken captive by pro-Russian militants from the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic who demanded a huge ransom for her release

The Polish organization Open Dialogue reports that Milana Omelchuk, a 22-year-old press photographer is safely back in Kyiv. It was learned on May 6 that she had been kidnapped by terrorists of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic. Her personal belongings, including her mobile phone were inadvertently stumbled across in the city park area and handed over to police. For almost a week there was no word from the girl. On May 13, the terrorists contacted Milana’s sister for the first time, demanding a ransom of 50 thousand UAH, threatening to hurt or kill her otherwise.

Open Dialogue says that its representatives were involved in negotiations with the terrorists.  Milana was released, it says, on May 18, without any money or documents. She managed to contact a representative of the Open Dialog Foundation, and on May 20 was brought back to Kyiv.

She was held in a basement, fed once every two days and injected with unknown drugs. She is now in hospital with doctors monitoring her condition.

Open Dialogue notes that this is not the first time that they have helped to secure the release of hostages., and mentions Serhiy Lefter and Artem Deineha.

 Share this