Today's exchange is special because 95% of those released were captured in 2022, reported Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, on social media on Friday, UNN reports.
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"The 74th exchange: 205 Ukrainians are home! This is the first part of a large exchange within the '1000' for '1000' framework. Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Territorial Defense Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service, are returning to the Motherland. Among those released are 'Azov' servicemen," Lubinets stated.
This exchange is special because 95% of those returned today were captured in 2022 (193 Defenders out of 205). This includes a large number of the Defenders of Mariupol, specifically 'Azovstal'. We also managed to return a defender who had been sentenced in Russia and pardoned,
According to him, "many released Ukrainians are returning with serious injuries, compromised health, and severe psychological consequences." "There are Defenders who were evacuated from 'Azovstal' while wounded. Ahead of everyone lies rehabilitation, restoration of documents, and bank cards," he added.
The Ombudsman also provided other data regarding the exchange:
- among those released are representatives of various branches of the military: air assault, motorized infantry, mechanized, and marine corps;
- mostly privates and non-commissioned officers are returning home, but there are also officers and captains;
- all were confirmed in captivity through the ICRC;
- the youngest released is 21 years old, the oldest is 62 years old.
Two of those returned today are celebrating their birthdays: they are 40 and 36 years old. 21 Defenders had or will very soon have a birthday in May. Among those returned are 5 people with the same last name,