He also voiced "deep concern" over a flare-up in tensions between Israel and Palestinians. Recent violence in the Middle East "threatens the desired climate of trust and mutual respect needed to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians," Francis said.
According to the police officer, the detainees had relocated out of Ukraine before Russia's invasion of the country began.
Meanwhile, Turkey has evacuated 12,000 Turkish citizens from Ukraine, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday.
On Saturday, Russian forces continued to shell the city of Mariupol, despite agreeing to a ceasefire just hours earlier.
The controversial audiotape was uploaded to an anonymous YouTube channel on Wednesday evening.
Last week, Putin signed a decree allowing people living in breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine to receive a Russian passport within three months of applying for one.
