Chaplain Father Ihor Petrenko, Kherson resident, was released from captivity of DNR fighters. This was reported in the Cathedral of Purification of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Kyiv Patriarchate in Kherson, where the released clergyman serves.
“So far we know only that Father Ihor will come to Kyiv along with other 15 released prisoners. We do not know when he can return to Kherson,” we were told in the temple.
According to Radio Liberty journalist, the priest disappeared on February 14 on Mariupol - Donetsk highway,30 kilometers from Donetsk. In a car there was the priest’s assistant, Kherson volunteer Vadym Perepada, they were carrying humanitarian aid for Ukrainian military servicemen. Father Ihor went to administer the sacraments of confession and Communion to soldiers.
According to locals, a car, resembling Father Ihor’s car, got to one of the DNR checkpoints near the village of Olenivka. A few days ago it was reported that the priest was alive.
On April 6 in the night separatists released 16 Ukrainian soldiers from captivity. Advisor to the Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine Markiyan Lubkivskyy reported that militants are still holding prisoners about 400 citizens of Ukraine.