President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported another exchange and the return from captivity of 185 more Ukrainian defenders, as well as one civilian, UNN reports.
Another 185 Ukrainian defenders are returning home today from Russian captivity. And one civilian is also returning along with the defenders,
He added:
Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. Privates, sergeants, and officers. They defended our state in Mariupol and at "Azovstal," as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and Kursk directions. Among them are those returning after years of Russian captivity, where they had been held since 2022.
"I thank everyone who makes this possible: the team involved in the exchanges, our partners. And special gratitude to the warriors who replenish our exchange fund – through their strength and results at the front, they ensure the return of our people home. The work continues. The return of our people is an unwavering priority for Ukraine. Every day we work to liberate every Ukrainian man and woman from captivity," Zelenskyy emphasized.
As noted by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this is the 75th prisoner exchange.
"Today, another 75th prisoner exchange took place. As a result of the negotiation process, the Coordination Headquarters, acting on the instructions of the President of Ukraine, liberated 185 Ukrainian servicemen from Russian captivity. Separately, we also managed to return one civilian Ukrainian to the Motherland, whom the Russians had held in captivity since 2022," the Coordination Headquarters noted.
As specified by the Coordination Headquarters, servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine returned home, including representatives of the Navy, Ground Forces, Air Assault Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Special Operations Forces, Military Law Enforcement Service, as well as soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service.
"More than half of the Defenders liberated today were captured in 2022, some of them during the defense of Mariupol. Among those released is a participant in the unique helicopter operation – the air bridge to Azovstal," the Coordination Headquarters noted.
"The age of the youngest released is 26 years, the oldest is 62 years old. Among the Defenders released today are two officers," the statement said.
"We express our gratitude to the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in organizing the exchange and returning Ukrainians home," the statement reads.
All those released will reportedly undergo a medical examination, receive treatment, be provided with necessary items for the initial period, receive appropriate payments, and undergo rehabilitation and reintegration into society after prolonged isolation in Russian captivity.