Lankans stranded in Ukraine; What happened?

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On 17th September, the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy in his briefing noted that seven Sri Lankan students were found in 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. The Russian InvasionOn 24th of February, Russian forces initiated what they dubbed as a 'special operation', which was later declared by Russia as an operation for the “liberation of Donbas” – broadly referring to Ukraine’s regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.More than a third of this area was already seized by Russian proxy forces in a war that began in 2014.The liberation of IziumIzium was subject to intense Russian artillery attacks in April.

The city, which sits near the border between the Kharkiv and Donetsk, became an important hub for the invading military during five months of occupation.

Ukrainian forces took back control of the city on Saturday (17), delivering a strategic blow to Russia's military assault in the east.The recapture of the east Ukrainian city resulted in the discovery of a mass burial site, where Ukraine's Defense Ministry said at least 440 "unmarked" graves were found in the city in recent days.The country's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that some of the bodies found in Izium showed "signs of torture," blaming Russia for what he called "cruelty and terrorism."Sri Lankans found in IziumUkrainian President Voldomyr Zelensky said that seven Sri Lankan students have been rescued from 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine.

Zelensky said those rescued included foreigners and made particular reference to the Sri Lankan students whom he said had been kept in a basement.