Pro-Russia Militiamen Abduct U.S. Journalist in Eastern Ukraine: Report

LONDON — Pro-Russian militiamen in Eastern Ukraine have abducted American journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who works for the U.S.-based news channel Vice News.

Ostrovsky is being held in Slavyansk by a group led by Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the self-proclaimed “People’s Mayor,” according to Daily Telegraph journalist Roland Oliphant.

Vice News said in a statement: “Vice News is aware of the situation and is in contact with the United States State Department and other appropriate government authorities to secure the safety and security of our friend and colleague, Simon Ostrovsky.”

Two other journalists have gone missing in Slavyansk, according to the Guardian. Ukrainian journalist Irma Krat and Warsaw-based reporter Sergei Lefter. Earlier this week, Italian journalists Paul Gogo and Kossimo Attanasio, and the Belarusian reporter Dmitry Galko were also held by the separatists, but were released later.

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