Among the liberated are the defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal. The oldest defender released from captivity is 59 years old, the youngest is 27 years old.
This was announced by the head of state Vladimir Zelensky, informs the portal PromPolitInform.
“Today, 200 Ukrainian families have received the most anticipated message: their relatives are returning home. And this is always good news for all of us, for the whole country – the return of our people to their native land. Among those who return are the defenders of Mariupol, Donetsk region, Lugansk region, Kharkiv region, Zaporozhye. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, border guards and national guardsmen,” he said.
On March 5, 2026, Ukraine and Russia held another exchange of prisoners of war, during which 200 Ukrainian defenders returned home. The exchange took place according to the formula “200 to 200” and was the first stage of a larger exchange, which the parties agreed on earlier.
The release took place within the framework of the agreements reached during the negotiations in Geneva. At the same time, the Russian side stated that in general, the exchange should take place in the “500 to 500” format during March 5-6.
Among those released are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in particular the Naval Forces and the Territorial Defense Forces, as well as soldiers of the National Guard, the State Border Service and the State Special Transport Service. Mostly soldiers and sergeants.
The defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, who were captured by Russia in 2022, are also returning home. The Ukrainian military defended the country in the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kharkov and Zaporizhzhya directions.
The oldest of the dismissed defenders is 59 years old, the youngest – 27, 18 military celebrated or will celebrate their birthday in March.
Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets said that many of those released are in a difficult psychological state, and some have recorded critically low weight. Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office were present during the exchange and recorded all the necessary circumstances.
“We monitor compliance with international humanitarian law regarding prisoners of war,” he said.
The exchange was made possible thanks to the work of Ukrainian state bodies as part of the Coordination Headquarters on the treatment of prisoners of war on behalf of the President of Ukraine.
This is the second exchange in 2026. On February 5, Ukraine and Russia held the first exchange of prisoners in the format of 157 to 157 in 2026.
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.
In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has managed to return 6622 of its citizens from Russian captivity.
The current exchange was also attended by international mediators – the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Photo – OP
