Since the beginning of 2026, nearly 1,600 Ukrainians have been returned as part of prisoner exchanges, and over 9,500 in total. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening address, reports UNN.
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"We continue to bring people back from Russian captivity: today another 160 military personnel are home. Almost all of them had been in captivity since 2022. Defenders of Mariupol, Azovstal, the entire Donetsk region, and other directions. Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv region, Sumy region. We must bring back every single one – both military and civilians – who are still in Russian captivity. We are checking every name. This year the results are tangible, exchanges continue," Zelenskyy said.
He noted that Ukraine's offensive activity on the front and repelling Russian assaults is also an opportunity to bring our people back from Russia.
"More than 9,500 people have been returned since the beginning of the full-scale war. Just this year – 1,596 of our Ukrainian men and women. We also expect the next stages. Thank you. And I especially want to thank everyone who does not abandon people after they return – who does not leave them without proper support. Adaptation, necessary treatment, solving social issues – all of this is important, and there must be compassion, there must be support," Zelenskyy added.
Recall
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on another exchange and the return from Russian captivity of 160 military personnel who had been in captivity since 2022, among them defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal.