Winona Native Freed from Russian Captivity Meets with Sen. Klobuchar

Photo: Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar

MINNEAPOLIS (KWNO)-Tyler Jacob, a Winona native who was freed from Russian captivity last month, met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar in Minneapolis on Tuesday.  

Jacob was teaching English in Ukraine when he was captured by Russian forces last month. He was held in custody for approximately 10 days before being freed, returned home, and reunited with his wife and daughter.  

“We got on the phone with Ambassador [John] Sullivan…and I told him about Tyler’s case, and he knew about it because we’ve been making all these contacts…And he said he was going to go to meet with the Russians…to plead Tyler’s case,” Klobuchar said.

“Thank you very much for all of the hard work you’ve both put in. You were responding to text messages and emails at 11, 12 o’clock at night,” Jacob said. “I definitely don’t believe I would be here if it wasn’t for you guys vouching for me.”