A new prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia: Ukrainian military personnel and civilians have returned home, most of whom had been held captive since 2022.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Return of Defenders Sentenced by Russia to Long Terms
As a result of the latest exchange, announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, defenders who fought for Ukraine in various regions – Donetsk, Mariupol, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Kherson – are returning home. Among those released are servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, the State Special Transport Service, as well as civilians.
“Our people are home. Most of them have been in Russian captivity since 2022. Today, our defenders who fought for Ukraine in different regions are returning: Donetsk and Mariupol, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson. These are soldiers from the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, the State Special Transport Service. And also civilians,” said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The head of state emphasized that exchanges of military prisoners must continue and expressed gratitude to everyone involved in organizing them. The President stressed that Ukraine’s goal is to free all citizens from Russian captivity.
Age and Status of the Released: Soldiers, Officers, and Civilians
The Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, noted that a distinctive feature of this exchange was the return of Ukrainian defenders who had been sentenced by Russia to long prison terms. The youngest among those released was only 20 years old, while the oldest was 59. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, officers were also freed.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War also reports that during this exchange, not only enlisted soldiers but also officers returned home. The Ukrainian authorities continue to work on the repatriation of all citizens who remain in Russian captivity.