One hundred and five days after being captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, two military veterans from Alabama have been released.
Alex Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, were first reported missing on June 9 after their unit came under heavy fire in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border.
The families of the two said they are being held in Saudi Arabia at the U.S. Embassy.
Darla Black, the mother of Joy Black, who is engaged to Huynh, said her daughter was able to talk on the phone with her fiance briefly Wednesday morning. He told her he was OK but was getting checked out at the hospital. He also asked her to call his mom and tell her he was coming home.
"She was overwhelmed and just shaking," said Darla Black. "It came out of nowhere. We didn't know this was coming, and we still don't have a lot of details, but we're overwhelmed and thrilled and very, very thankful to the Lord."
Black said the family is also overwhelmed with texts and phone calls from loved ones. Black added she was not sure when the two would be home.
Drueke is an Army veteran and Huynh served four years in the U.S. Marines. They were in Ukraine voluntarily assisting in the war against Russia.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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