Gerashchenko: 129 Ukrainians held captive in Donbas

The number of hostages, citizens of Ukraine held captive by militants in Donbas, has increased and already amounts to 129 people.

First Deputy Ukrainian Parliament Speaker, the representative of Ukraine in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group for settlement of the situation in Donbas, Iryna Gerashchenko said this in an interview with Fakty newspaper, published on Friday.

"Unfortunately, their number is increasing (129 hostages) due to the civilian population. Recently, pro-Ukrainian people in the occupied territories are sent to prison under a far-fetched pretext. They want to have more people in prison to blackmail Ukraine," she said.

As known, until recently 128 hostages were reported to be held captive by militants in Donbas.

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