(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, said this in a post on Telegram , seen by Ukrinform.

"Among the hostages freed by Hamas today [on October 13] is 37-year-old Maksym Kharkin from Donetsk, held captive since October 2023," Stefanishyna wrote.

"Happy for Maksym Kharkin from Donetsk, who is finally free and returning home to his family and 5-year-old daughter," the diplomat added.

She also stated: "Congratulations to the President of the United States and everyone who made this extraordinary achievement possible – peace in the Middle East and freedom for the hostages."

According to media reports , 35-year-old Maksym Kharkin, although born in Donetsk, had long lived in Israel and even served in the Israel Defense Forces. His family had obtained Russian citizenship for him, hoping it would help secure his release. However, Hamas representatives confirmed that Kharkin was Ukrainian and was not a "Russian" at the time of his capture.

Read also: Ukraine's FM on recent energy strikes: Russia worse than HAMAS

Earlier reports said that the Israeli government had ratified an agreement on a ceasefire with Hamas militants.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached a deal to release Israeli hostages and end hostilities in Gaza.

On October 13, Hamas militants released all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, and handed over four coffins containing the remains of deceased captives.

First photo for illustration purposes: Miriam Alster/Flash90

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