President Vladimir Putin has expressed his gratitude to Palestinian group Hamas for releasing three Russian hostages captured during the October 2023 attack on Israel.
Mr. Putin welcomed Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov and two of his family members who were freed from captivity in Gaza at the Kremlin late on Wednesday night, as reported by Interfax agency. Trufanov was released in February of this year.
“The fact that you are now free is a result of Russia’s many years of stable relations with the Palestinian people and various organizations,” Mr. Putin stated, as quoted by Interfax.
“We must express our gratitude to the leadership and political wing of Hamas for their humanitarian gesture in carrying out this act,” Mr. Putin expressed during the meeting with the freed hostages, where prominent Russian Jewish leaders, including Chief Rabbi Berl Lazer, were also present.
The attack on October 7, 2023, led to the death of at least 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages by Hamas when they attacked Israel. In retaliation, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in subsequent Israeli attacks.
According to Interfax, Trufanov, his mother Elena Trufanova, grandmother Irina Tatti, and fiancee Sapir Cohen were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip, with the family head Vitaly Trufanov losing his life in the attack.
Elena, Irina, and Cohen were eventually released in a hostage exchange after 53 days.
Alexander Trufanov spent approximately 500 days in captivity and was finally released on February 15, 2025 as part of a ceasefire agreement, as reported.
Many settlers in Israel still hold Russian citizenship.
Mr. Putin has pledged to continue aiding in the release of any remaining hostages.
Published – April 17, 2025 03:42 pm IST
