Vice Journalist Taken Hostage In Ukraine Is Released

Simon Ostrovsky, who has been reporting on the crisis in Ukraine for months, was taken hostage by separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk. "I'm out and safe," he tweeted Thursday.

Updated — 1:49 p.m. ET

Vice reporter Simon Ostrovsky was taken hostage by separatists while he was working in Slovyansk earlier this week. He tweeted Thursday that he is safe.

I'm out and safe. Thank you all for your support. Had no idea I had so many good friends.

Vice posted the following statement:

VICE News is delighted to confirm that our colleague and friend Simon Ostrovsky has been safely released and is in good health. We would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Out of respect for Simon and his family's privacy, we have no further statement at this time.

A Radio-Canada journalist tweeted Ostrovsky is with him.

Breaking: hostage @SimonOstrovsky is free and safe. He is with us in CBC car en route to Donetsk @CBCNews @CBCAlerts

The reporter, Jean-François Bélanger, said Ostrovsky was beaten and blindfolded.

@SimonOstrovsky says he was beaten, blindfolded and hands tied at first, then treated well. @CBCNews @CBCAlerts

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