Putin Hosts Freed Hostages at Kremlin, Praises Hamas for Release

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, his mother Elena Trufanova, and partner Sapir Cohen to the Kremlin on April 16, 2025. All three had been held captive by Palestinian terrorists since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

Russia’s Diplomatic Role

Putin emphasized Russia’s long-standing ties with Palestinian groups. “Your release is a result of Russia’s stable, long-term relations with the Palestinian people and various organizations,” he told the former hostages.

He also expressed gratitude to the political leadership of Hamas, calling their role in the release a “humanitarian act.” The Russian president stated his hope that more such releases would follow.

498 Days in Captivity

Sasha Troufanov recounted being held in Gaza for 498 days. He was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with his mother, grandmother, and partner. Hamas terrorists murdered his father, Vitaly Troufanov, during the same attack.

Hostage Releases and Geopolitical Maneuvering

Trufanova and her mother were released in November 2023 during a ceasefire, reportedly as a gesture to Putin. Troufanov’s release followed in February, under a truce brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. That agreement collapsed in March.

Putin’s office released footage of the Kremlin meeting, which was also attended by Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and Alexander Boroda, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia.

Hamas Engagement Behind the Scenes

Just days before Sasha Troufanov’s release, a senior Hamas official visited Moscow and met with a deputy Russian foreign minister. Russia reportedly urged Hamas to fulfill its commitment to release Russian-Israeli hostages.

One such case is Maxim Herkin, another dual-national abducted from the Nova music festival. Hamas featured Herkin in a propaganda video earlier this month—the first evidence he’s still alive.

Hostages Still in Gaza

According to Israeli estimates, 59 hostages remain in Gaza. Of those, 24 are believed to be alive. This includes Herkin and Bar Kupershtein, both taken from the Nova festival during the October 7 attacks.