More than a year ago, tensions in the Red Sea escalated when Houthi militants seized a commercial vessel and detained its crew.
The ship, Galaxy Leader, was taken in November 2023 as part of a series of attacks targeting international shipping.
The sailors onboard came from multiple countries, caught in the middle of a growing regional conflict.
Embracing Their Loved Ones
On January 25, three Ukrainian crew members finally returned home. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency confirmed their arrival in Odesa, where they were reunited with their families.
A statement from the Foreign Ministry described the homecoming as the result of extensive diplomatic efforts.
A video released by officials captured the sailors embracing their loved ones after months of uncertainty.
Ukrainian authorities had been pushing for their release since the vessel was taken, according to Kyiv Independent.
The breakthrough came earlier in the week, when officials announced that the sailors had been freed as part of regional talks aimed at reducing hostilities.
Ukrainian representatives credited Oman’s government for supporting the effort, calling it a significant step toward resolving the crisis.
The Galaxy Leader was carrying a multinational crew of 25 when it was seized. Among those onboard were sailors from Romania, Mexico, Bulgaria, and the Philippines.
In recent days, governments from several of those countries have also confirmed that their citizens were freed.
Houthi forces claimed they took control of the ship because of its links to Israel. The vessel, which sails under a Bahamian flag, has business ties to an Israeli shipping magnate.
The seizure was part of a broader pattern of attacks on Red Sea trade routes, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
The United States recently classified the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization, a move that could complicate ongoing negotiations.
