Putin Gets Credited with Aiding Release of Israeli Hostage
(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin played a key role in securing the freedom of Israeli hostage Maxim Kharkin, according to his mother, Natalia, who spoke with a news agency.
She emphasized that both Putin’s personal involvement and the dedicated efforts of Moscow’s diplomatic staff were instrumental in her son's safe return. Kharkin was one of 20 Israeli captives freed by Hamas on Monday as part of a swap deal involving around 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
Natalia, who lives in Donetsk, expressed her deep gratitude and her desire to travel to Moscow to thank the Russian president in person for helping to bring her son home.
“We want to come and we want to see Vladimir Putin very much. To thank him for everything he has done because it helped Maxim survive,” she told the news agency.
She also commended the Russian consulate in Israel, which she said gave significant support to the family during the crisis.
Although a meeting with the Russian leader has not yet been scheduled, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday that Moscow “shares the common joy that Kharkin is free.”
Maxim, aged 37, was originally from Donetsk and moved to Israel at 17. His mother is a Russian citizen.
He was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led assault on Israel, while attending the Nova Music Festival, an overnight gathering close to the Gaza border.
In hopes of securing aid from Russia, his family applied for Russian citizenship on his behalf.
Russian diplomats addressed his situation directly with Hamas, including at a March meeting in Qatar between Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and senior representatives of the group. According to Natalia, her son now intends to obtain a Russian passport.
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