FIVE British POWs have been released from Ukraine after being captured by Russian forces.

The prisoners, including Aiden Aslin, are now on their way back home after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman negotiated their release with Vladimir Putin.

Prime Minister Liz Trusshailed the "hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned"

She said it ended "months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families".

Alongside Britain they come from US, Sweden, Croatia and Morocco were also set free.

The group have now landed in Saudi Arabia after travelling to the Middle East by plane.

The move came following efforts by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler.

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The Saudi foreign ministry said this was part of the "in continuation of (his) commitment to the humanitarian initiatives towards the Russian-Ukrainian crisis".

It comes as

The war in Ukraine has fuelled tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United States, a critical ally for decades.

Saudi Arabia voted in favour of an early United Nations resolution to denounce Russia's invasion and demand that Moscow withdraw troops.

But it's largely resisted pressure from the US to ramp up oil production to ease the energy crisis resulting from the war – a campaign that included a visit by US President Joe Biden in July.

Instead Riyadh has coordinated with the OPEC+ oil cartel it jointly leads with Russia.

Earlier this month the bloc agreed to cut crude production for the first time in more than a year as it sought to lift prices that have tumbled due to recession fears.

Wednesday's statement did not specify when the prisoners of war would be transferred to their home countries.

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