On April 19, 277 defenders returned to Ukraine, of which 246 were released as part of a prisoner exchange, while another 31 individuals were freed outside this process.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelensky, Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Direct quote: "Today we are pleased to announce the return of 277 defenders from Russian captivity.

These are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, representatives of the National Guard, the State Special Transport Service, and border guards who defended Mariupol, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk regions".

Details: Zelensky expressed gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the exchange, particularly noting the mediation of the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Coordination Headquarters, 246 soldiers were returned as part of the exchange, and another 31 individuals were freed outside the exchanges.

Among those returned are many young people born after 2000. Among them is a female servicemember who was captured in May 2022.

Of the 268 released, 9 are officers, while the rest are privates and sergeants.

This exchange is the fourth in 2023 and the 63rd since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

So far this year, 596 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity through exchanges, and 53 defenders have been freed outside exchanges.

Overall, since March 2022, the Coordination Headquarters has secured the release of 4552 Ukrainian citizens through negotiations and exchanges. Additionally, 529 individuals have been freed outside exchanges.