India, June 21 -- Russia has released 24 Filipino nationals who were detained for several months in the Siberian city of Irkutsk without formal charges. The move came shortly after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr raised the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin during diplomatic discussions.

Officials confirmed that the group will return to Manila on separate flights scheduled to arrive early Sunday, marking the end of a months-long detention period that had raised concern in the Philippines.

Putin News Today: Diplomatic Talks Between Marcos Jr and Putin Lead to Breakthrough

The release followed a bilateral meeting between President Marcos Jr and President Vladimir Putin, held on the sidelines of events marking ...