On April 8, 27-year-old Andy Tai Huynh put up $6,000 of his own money to travel to Ukraine and help the people who lived there fight to keep their freedom for Russia.
The former Marine stayed in contact with family and friends for about two months, but on June 8, the contact stopped.
Huynh and another Alabamian, 39-year-old Alexander Drueke of Tuscaloosa, were reported missing. State and federal government officials worked to learn more about their whereabouts, what caused their disappearance and how to get them home.
On Sept. 21, it was announced they were free from Russian captivity. They arrived Sept. 23 to the U.S., where they were reunited with friends and family members who had spent more than 100 days praying for their safe return.
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é has followed Huynh's journey since the beginning and will continue to update this article with links to additional coverage as more information is made available.Â
- Marine from Hartselle heading to Ukraine to fight against Russian invasion
- Family unable to make contact with North Alabama man who left to join fight in Ukraine
- Fiancée of missing Trinity veteran who joined the fight in Ukraine speaks out
- Kremlin spokesman says he doesn't know if Alabama men fighting for Ukraine are Russian prisoners
- Photo appears to show missing Alabama men tied inside Russian truck
- Community praying for safe return of Andy Huynh, Alex Drueke
- Russian media releases videos of 2 Alabama men captured during Ukraine fighting
- Fiancée of Alabamian possibly captured by Russians says new video gives her hope if real
- 'I still support you': Efforts continue to bring home Andy Huynh, Alex Drueke
- U.S. State Dept.: Russia hasn't officially responded to questions about captured Alabama men
- Russian media says captured Alabama men are being held in Donetsk
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville says he's monitoring case of Alabama men captured in Ukraine
- Mother of Alabama man captured in Ukraine: Pro-Russian forces seek deal for his release
- Russian media releases more video of Andy Huynh, Alex Drueke
- Loved ones receive belongings of Alabama men captured in Ukraine
- Families receive captured Alabama soldiers' personal items
- Family: Andy Huynh, Alex Drueke sharing cell in new prison
- In Alabama, family marks 100 days of captivity for U.S. veterans taken by Russian forces in Ukraine
- BREAKING: Alabama men captured in Ukraine are free, coming home
- Andy Huynh's fiancée prepares for emotional homecoming
- New photos, video show Alabama men returning to U.S.
- Andy Huynh shares moments from Russian captivity
