The number of hostages held by Russian occupation forces in areas controlled by hybrid Russian forces in Donetsk and Luhansk regions has risen to 137 over the past several days, according to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) advisor Yuriy Tandit.

"As of today there are 137 Ukrainian hostages. Unfortunately, the number has risen over the past several days because pro-Russia militants in the occupied areas are holding our citizens illegally and accusing them of criminal acts they have not committed. Moreover, the number has risen because these people were not carrying weapons or on the line of demarcation. They are civilians," Tandit said in an interview aired by the 112.Ukraine TV Channel.

Tandit cited the example of Vitaliy Rudenko, who recently was freed after being held captive for one year. Tandit said Luhansk militants guaranteed him safety to attend his father's funeral, but arrested him anyway.