Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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                      Russia Frees Female Ukrainian Pilot

   by VOA News

   A Ukrainian pilot held in Russian custody has been released.

   Nadiya Savchenko arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday after spending nearly two
   years in a Russian prison.

   The 35-year-old army helicopter pilot was released as part of an
   apparent prisoner swap with Moscow, with two alleged Russian soldiers
   leaving Ukraine earlier in the day, according to an official in the
   Ukrainian presidential administration.

   Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said the widows of two
   Russian journalists killed in eastern Ukraine had asked him to pardon
   the Ukrainian pilot. Putin said in televised remarks that he hoped her
   release "will help reduce tension in the Ukraine conflict and avoid new
   loss of life."

   Savchenko was sentenced by a Russian court sentenced to 22 years in
   prison after being convicted of killing two journalists during a
   shelling campaign in east Ukraine while Russian-backed rebels fought
   with the Ukrainian government.

   Savchenko denied the charges and launched several hunger strikes to
   protest her detention.

   The European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini hailed her
   release saying she was celebrating with Ukraine.

   "Nadiya Savchenko is free and back in Ukraine,former Italian foreign
   minister Mogherini said on Twitter. "Long awaited good news, that the
   EU celebrates together with her country."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-pilot-released/3345477.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-pilot-released/3345477.html