This is reported by Kyiv24
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation into Ukraine, 5,857 Ukrainians have been returned from captivity. Additionally, another 555 individuals were released outside the framework of official exchanges. This was reported by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Since the beginning of the full-scale war, a total of 5,857 people have been returned alive from captivity. Outside of exchanges – another 555 people.”
Results of the Agreements in Istanbul
The head of state also noted that thanks to the Istanbul agreements between Kyiv and Moscow, over a thousand Ukrainian servicemen have been freed. The intergovernmental dialogue regarding prisoner exchanges continues, and the Ukrainian side aims to return all citizens who are still in Russian detention.
New Agreements and Future Exchanges
On June 2, delegations from Ukraine and the Russian Federation agreed in Istanbul on new stages of military prisoner exchanges. According to Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation in the negotiations, the parties decided to focus on exchanges by categories, specifically: severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war, as well as young soldiers aged 18 to 25. An agreement was also reached regarding the return of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers.
President Zelensky emphasized the importance of continuing exchanges and accounting for every individual who remains in captivity: “We hope to free those civilians who are still being held in Russia. It is important to continue exchanges and verify the situation for each name.”