By Cem Genco

HATAY, Turkey

A Syrian opposition group has released a Ukrainian couple following three years of captivity.

In 2013, O. M. (43) and N. M. (38) -- their full names have not been released -- reportedly entered Syria illegally.

They were finally released earlier this week in Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib, due largely to the efforts of the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).

It is believed that the pair was initially taken captive due to suspicions on the part of a Syrian opposition group that they were Russian nationals.

It remains unclear whether the Ukrainian government took any steps to secure their release.

The two are expected to soon return to Ukraine.