The Germans interceded with Russia.

(Reuters) – A group of military observers who were seized last week by pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk has been released, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) confirmed on Saturday.

“We can now confirm the release of the military observers,” said a spokeswoman for the OSCE, under whose auspices the military verification officers led by German defense ministry staff were in Ukraine, at Ukraine’s request.

“Staff of the special monitoring mission are now waiting to receive them,” she said, referring to a larger OSCE mission gathering information and trying to reduce tensions on the ground in Ukraine.

Earlier, Slaviansk’s pro-Russian separatist leader said he had released the observers, and said the move was voluntary and made to coincide with his birthday.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry praised the separatists, saying letting the observers go showed the “bravery and humanism” of the “defenders of Slaviansk”.

The ministry said that the step was taken “in conditions, when a peaceful town is coming under a direct, unmotivated attack…”

“Without doubt this is evidence of the bravery and humanism of the defenders of the town. They showed in the first place concern about the security of foreign citizens.”

No word from Russia on what kidnapping the observers to begin with showed…