Among the 189 Ukrainians who were released from Russian captivity today as part of a new exchange, in particular, defenders of Mariupol and Snake Island, National Guard soldiers who were on duty guarding the Chernobyl NPP, and those military personnel who were captured by the occupiers in the Kursk region. The details of the exchange were reported by the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner of War Affairs, reports UNN.
It is noted that this is one of the largest exchanges carried out by the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner of War Affairs since the full-scale invasion.
According to the Coordination Headquarters, the eleventh exchange in 2024 allowed the release of:
- 87 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (of which 17 - Territorial Defense),
- 43 - National Guard of Ukraine,
- 33 - State Border Guard Service of Ukraine,
- 24 - Navy.
Two civilians also returned from captivity.
In addition to Mariupol and Snake Island, the released defended Ukraine in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson directions, and National Guard soldiers were on duty guarding the Chernobyl NPP. We also returned those who were captured in the Kursk region.
Many Ukrainian citizens have been in Russian captivity for more than two and a half years. The defenders have exacerbated chronic diseases, the consequences of mine-explosive injuries, and severe wounds.
This time, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released.
The Coordination Headquarters expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for assisting in the organization of the exchange.
189 Ukrainians returned home - Zelenskyy30.12.24, 17:11
In total, 3,956 people have already returned from Russian captivity as part of the work of the Coordination Headquarters on the instructions of the President of Ukraine, of which 1,358 in 2024.
Supplement
As noted by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, the state will ensure that the fighters' bank cards and documents are restored. And doctors will carefully examine their condition and provide all necessary assistance.