Today marked the completion of a new phase of prisoner exchanges focused on seriously ill defenders, according to the agreements reached in Istanbul.

Following the direction of the President of Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner Affairs has freed a group of defenders with serious injuries and health issues from Russian captivity.

The returning servicemen include members from various branches, including the Navy, Airborne Assault Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, as well as border guards and national guards.

Each released defender has severe medical diagnoses resulting from injuries and captivity conditions. Many are suffering from significant weight loss, dystrophy, ulcers, vision problems, and cardiovascular diseases.

The majority of the released warriors have been in captivity for over three years, with many captured during the defense of Mariupol.

All the defenders returned today are of the rank of private and sergeant.

Overall, the returning Ukrainians fought in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, as well as in the Zaporizhia and Kyiv regions.

The released defenders will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, and all entitled payments for the duration of their captivity.

The Coordination Headquarters continues its work and is preparing for the next stage of prisoner exchanges.

We are working to bring everyone back!

Glory to Ukraine!