Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has demanded the “immediate release” of Ukrainian citizens detained in Russia, according to a statement released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
The demand follows reports of increased detentions of Ukrainian nationals within Russian-controlled territories and across Russia itself, with accusations ranging from espionage to violating Russian law. Ukrainian officials have consistently maintained that these detentions are politically motivated and violate international law.
Andriy Sybiha, who assumed the role of Foreign Minister on September 5, 2024, following the tenure of Dmytro Kuleba, has made the release of detained citizens a priority in diplomatic discussions with international partners. He previously served as Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkey, a position he held until May 19, 2021, when he was dismissed by presidential decree.
Prior to his ambassadorship, Sybiha was the Director of the Department of Consular Services at the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016 and before that, an advisor at the Ukrainian Embassy in Poland from 2008 to 2012. He graduated from the University of Lviv in 1997 with a degree in International Relations.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not specified the number of citizens currently detained, but has indicated it is working through diplomatic channels, including engagement with international organizations, to secure their release. Russia has not publicly responded to the latest demands from Kyiv.
Sybiha currently works under Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and since 2025, under Yulia Svyrydenko. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated it will continue to raise the issue of detained citizens at all levels of international engagement.
