President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the successful conclusion of another stage of prisoner exchange for military personnel, many of whom had been held captive since 2022.
This information was shared via his Telegram account.
«We continue the exchanges; today our defenders from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and other security forces are returning home. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022. We are doing everything we can to find everyone and bring them back home,» Zelensky emphasized.
He also expressed gratitude to everyone who supports Ukraine in these efforts.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that representatives from various military branches, including the Navy and National Guard, have returned to Ukraine.
Most of the released defenders have been in captivity for over three years, with many captured during the defense of Mariupol.
"Among those returning are officers. The oldest is 62 years old, and the youngest is 24 years old," wrote Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram.
The Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, noted that the youngest among the released was captured at 21 during the defense of Mariupol.
«Today, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we freed another group of Ukrainian defenders. According to agreements reached in Istanbul, fighters under 25 years old, as well as those seriously ill or injured, are returning,» he remarked.
Budanov also stated: «We continue our work. We expect good news soon. We are fighting for every single person».
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko informed that among those released in this exchange are individuals who were previously considered missing.
"Some of their stories are truly miraculous. They were thought to be missing, but despite the uncertainty, the state continued the search. And today they are back with us," Klymenko noted.
The Coordination Headquarters also mentioned that this stage of the exchange specifically succeeded in bringing home young fighters. The youngest defender is 24 years old, captured during the defense of Mariupol at the age of 21.
They also managed to free National Guardsmen who were protecting the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
The oldest soldier brought home is 62 years old.
Among those released today are also officers.
In total, Ukrainians who defended the country in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Kherson, Kyiv, and Sumy regions are returning home.
The released defenders will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, and all due payments for the time spent in captivity, as noted by the Coordination Headquarters.
