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Middle East conflict

Russia to push for release of hostages held by Hamas, senior diplomat says

"We originally had one Russian citizen and there is also a Donbass resident," Mikhail Bogdanov noted

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Moscow will continue to seek the release of hostages being held by HAMAS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told TASS in an interview following the First Ministerial Conference Russia-Africa.

Bogdanov, who also serves as special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, expressed hope that all Russians who have been kidnapped by the Palestinian radical movement are alive. "We originally had one Russian citizen and there is also a Donbass resident <…>. There are also several others whose release we are seeking," he specified.

"The war is ongoing, and it is very difficult to expect any resolution, including on releasing hostages, amid war," the senior Russian diplomat added.

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