Captured US veteran told mom captors were ‘anxious’ to start release talks

In a statement, Lois Drueke said she was happy to hear his voice and know he's alive and all right'

An Alabama army veteran who was captured in Ukraine while voluntarily helping the country fight Russian invaders spoke with his mother on Tuesday and said his captors were anxious to begin negotiations for his release", according to his family.

Alex Drueke did not communicate any demands from his captors or say when negotiations should start during the 10-minute conversation with his mom, said Lois Bunny" Drueke, in a statement Wednesday from her and his aunt, Dianna Shaw.