The Ukrainian sailors of the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel, who were captured by Yemeni Houthis on 19 November 2023 in the Red Sea, were evacuated on 22 January 2025 by Ukrainian intelligence officers with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

European forces joined the US Navy last year in an effort to defend key shipping lanes from Houthi rebel attacks.

The three sailors arrived in Odesa on Jan. 25, where they were greeted by relatives after 14 months in captivity.

When President Biden took office four years ago, he sought to reassure global allies and reestablish foreign treaties from which the Trump administration had withdrawn.

Ukrainian sailors abducted by Yemeni Houthi rebels in November 2023 have been released through a coordinated effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and HUR.

The news comes as the Yemeni rebel group release of the crew of the carrier captured in November 2023 as part of attacks on vessels sailing through the Red Sea corridor. The decision is seen as part of de-escalation efforts in the wake of the Gaza ceasefire.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday re-designated Yemen's Houthi movement, known formally as Ansar Allah, as a "foreign terrorist organization", the White House said.

The 25 crew members — who include mariners from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico ... assaults that have plagued the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for months.

Yemen's Houthis have indicated they will restrict their Red Sea attacks to vessels linked with Israel amid a ceasefire in Gaza.

President Biden gave one of the final major speeches of his term Monday, highlighting his administration's contributions to U.S. foreign policy.

The sailors were freed as part of regional talks.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier seized in November 2023 at the start of their campaign in the Red Sea corridor. The rebels said they released the sailors after mediation by Oman.