Russian Ministry Strives to Free Hostages Held by Al Qaeda Affiliate in Niger

Russia's foreign ministry is working to free two geologists kidnapped by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Niger. A video showed the captives, one Russian and one Ukrainian, but no ransom demand was made. Four people were kidnapped on July 18. Russia is seeking help from Niger and Mali for their release.

Russia's foreign ministry announced on Friday its efforts to free two geologists employed by a Russian firm who were taken hostage by an Al Qaeda affiliate in western Niger last month. In a video released by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) earlier this August, two captives identified themselves as hostages taken from the insurgency-stricken Tillaberi region.

The timing and location of the video's filming remain unclear, and it does not include any ransom demands. According to the Russian ministry, one of the hostages is Oleg Gret, reportedly a Russian citizen, while the other is Yuri Yurov from Ukraine.

The kidnapping incident, which occurred on July 18, involved the capture of four individuals and resulted in the deaths of several Nigerien soldiers, the ministry reported. Russia has formally requested assistance from Niger and its Malian partners to secure the hostages' release. The ministry affirmed its commitment to continue efforts for their freedom and to develop cooperation with Sahel states despite ongoing regional security challenges. Since a coup last year, Niger's junta has strengthened ties with Russia after ousting Western forces.

(With inputs from agencies.)