During the exchange of prisoners on Monday, December 30, 11 soldiers of the Azov Brigade, who defended Mariupol and were held captive for almost 3 years, returned home. This was reported by the commander of the Azov brigade Denis Prokopenko, call sign "Redis," UNN reports.
"Today 11 soldiers of the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade returned home from Russian captivity. They have undergone extremely difficult trials that lasted almost 3 years. 86 days of defense of Mariupol, heavy battles at the limit of human capabilities, captivity, imprisonment, interrogation, torture. They did not give up and came out of this hell as winners," Prokopenko wrote.
He expressed his gratitude to the Azov Brigade soldiers who captured 68 militants in the Toretsk sector and to all units of the Defense Forces who replenish the exchange fund in all areas of the frontline, which allows the return of Ukrainian servicemen.
Recall
As part of the 11th exchange in 2024, 189 Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity, including the defenders of Mariupol and Zmeinyi Island. Among those released were 173 privates and sergeants, 14 officers and 2 civilians.