The Russians kidnapped him, the mayor of Melitopol: Armed soldiers kept me in a room

Ivan Federov led the southeastern town until he fell into the hands of Russian invading forces and he was kidnapped six days ago.

The mayor was released Wednesday after Ukraine said he had agreed to exchange nine Russian soldiers captured captive to return it.

Speaking of Audrey Brown of BBC, Federov said Russian troops took him from his office without a word and that he had no connection with the outside world while in custody. He said he was held in a small room with armed soldiers, but he was never physically injured.

The occupational forces in Melitopol have replaced Federov with their mayor. But he insists his successor is not the legitimate head of local government, as he was voted by more than 60% of people. /abcnews. al