A hostage crisis in Lutsk, Ukraine has come to an end following a bizarre video released by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Maksym Kryvosh, 44, who has previous convictions, had reportedly taken 10 people hostage in a bus in Lutsk.
The siege began at 09.00 am with the hostage-taker firing gunshots and throwing explosives that failed to detonate.
The suspect had released three hostages after talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov is reported to have been in Lutsk to lead negotiations with Kryvosh.
Several -hours of tense stand-off and negotiations took place after officers of the counter-terrorism SBU security services surrounded the bus.
The hostages were only released after President Zelensky posted a brief video on Facebook in Russian urging “Everyone should watch the 2005 film Earthlings.”
One key demand of the hostage-taker was for the president to encourage people to watch the 2005 Hollywood-made animal rights documentary narrated by Hollywood star Joaquin Phoenix.
The stand-off eventually ended following the bizarre video posted by President Zelensky, with security officials rescuing the 10- hostages and arresting Kryvosh. (Newswire)