As part of the exchange of prisoners of war, Ukraine returned 157 soldiers and civilians. Most have been in captivity since as early as 2022. Those released from captivity will undergo a full medical examination, receive assistance in physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all payments provided by the state.
This was announced by President Zelensky, informs the portal PromPolitInform.
“Today’s exchange took place after a long pause, and it is very important that it was implemented. I thank everyone who works for exchanges, and everyone who replenishes the exchange fund for Ukraine at the front. Without the determination of our soldiers, such exchanges would be impossible, so every result of our units is what supports and the opportunity to return Ukrainians home from Russia.
We will continue to work to free our people from captivity. We have to return and we will definitely return everyone. We work on every surname. So that each family can wait for their own,” the message says.
The coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war confirmed the exchange: 150 military and 7 civilian Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity.
Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including representatives of the Navy, Ground Forces, TrO, DShV, Air Forces, as well as the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service return home. Among those released are soldiers, sergeants and officers.
The liberated defenders defended Ukraine in the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kharkov, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, Sumy and Kyiv directions. More than half of them were captured during the defense of Mariupol. A soldier of the National Guard, captured during the occupation of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, also returned home.
139 liberated Ukrainians have been in Russian captivity since 2022. A feature of this exchange was the return of illegally convicted citizens of Ukraine.
The youngest defender released is 23 years old. He was captured at the age of 19 during the defense of Mariupol and was illegally sentenced by a Russian court to “life imprisonment.” The age of the oldest dismissed defender is 63 years.
Those released from captivity will undergo a full medical examination, receive assistance in physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all payments provided by the state. Ukraine will ensure their reintegration into society after prolonged isolation.
The Coordination Headquarters thanks the United States and the UAE for their assistance in organizing the exchange, as well as all related structures and organizations for their coordinated efforts. The search, documentation and return of every Ukrainian from Russian captivity continues.
Russia also announced an exchange of prisoners with Ukraine in the format of 157 to 157. In particular, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation claims that 157 prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were transferred to Ukraine, and also that three residents of the Kursk region were allegedly returned from the Ukrainian territory.
Фото – t.me/Koord_shtab
