Story highlights Savchenko pardoned by Russian President, Kremlin saysShe became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance against Russia(CNN) Nadiya Savchenko, the Ukrainian military pilot who became a national hero in her homeland during two years of detention by Russia, was released Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Savchenko prior to her release, according to a statement on the Kremlin website. She was released as part of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine, the Russian state-run Tass news agency reported. Savchenko arrived in Kiev by plane Wednesday afternoon, emerging barefoot in blue jeans and a t-shirt with the Ukrainian trident on it, the Kiev Post and other media reported. Two Russians arrested by Ukraine and accused of being Russian soldiers were sent home as part of the exchange, Tass said.

Source: CNN May 25, 2016 06:46 UTC