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VICE Journalist Free in Ukraine After Allegedly Being Blindfolded and Beaten

Pro-Russia separatists in east Ukraine released Vice News journalist Simon Ostrovosky on Thursday after holding him captive for roughly four days. 

By Connor Simpson
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Pro-Russia separatists in east Ukraine released VICE News journalist Simon Ostrovosky on Thursday, after holding him captive for roughly four days. The CBC's J-Francois Belanger first reported Ostrovosky's freedom. "VICE News is delighted to confirm that our colleague and friend Simon Ostrovsky has been safely released and is in good health," Vice said in an official statement.

A number of journalists have been taken captive as tensions escalate between the Russian separatists occupying east Ukraine and the new government. In interviews shortly after he was released, Ostrovosky told CBC he was held with about ten other local journalists who are still being held by separatists. Ostrovosky also said he was "beaten and blindfolded at the start of his ordeal," by his captors, but the hospitality improved as his stay wore on. Ever the pro, Ostrovosky is now on his way back to Donetsk to continue working. 

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.