"We're working to ensure that those who are still in captivity be released soon. Unfortunately, two days ago the number of our hostages increased—there are 109 of them now," he told TV Channel 112 Ukraine.
He also warned Ukrainian law enforcement agents against crossing the contact line in Donbas. "As soon as they get there, they, in fact, become targets for detention and capture," he said.
Read also"Terrifying report" by Huff Post shows how pro-Russian separatists tortured 4,000 peopleHe added that the SBU closely monitors reports by the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
"We often see that the temporarily occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk region make such fake announcements [such as a DPR statement that Ukraine has released six fighters]. We're closely monitoring what they say," he said.
As was reported earlier, 107 Ukrainians were held captive by Donbas militants.
