Key Takeaways
- A Ukrainian and UN pilot was captured by Al-Shabaab.
- The pilot appeals to President Zelenskyy for help.
- He is being held thousands of miles away from his homeland.
- The UN has a duty to secure the release of its contractors.
Ukrainian Pilot Appeals to Zelenskyy for Help in Al-Shabaab Video
Al-Shabaab Captures Ukrainian-UN Pilot, Pleads for Release
A video surfaced claiming to show a Ukrainian and UN pilot appealing to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the UN for help after being captured by Al-Shabaab in January 2024. Oleynik Aleksandra, a helicopter pilot working on a medical evacuation mission, was reportedly held captive along with his crew since then. The video, published by Al-Shabaab’s media wing, shows Captain Aleksandra pleading for release and urging Ukrainians to raise their voices for him. AeroTime has contacted the UN and Ukrainian government for comment on the authenticity of the hostage video.
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