President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the first stage of the "1000 for 1000" exchange — 205 Ukrainians are home, most of whom had been in Russian captivity since 2022, UNN reports.
205 Ukrainians are home. Today, warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning from Russian captivity. This is the first stage of the 1000 for 1000 exchange,
Among those released, according to him, are privates, sergeants, and officers. "Most of them had been in Russian captivity since 2022. They defended Ukraine in Mariupol and Azovstal, in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv directions, and at the Chornobyl NPP," the President indicated.
"I am grateful to everyone working for the return of our people home, primarily to our warriors who replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine, and to our team. I thank all the partners who help release Ukrainians from captivity. We will continue to fight for every single man and woman who still remains in captivity," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Duration of captivity is a key principle in forming the "1000 for 1000" exchange lists
As reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, "today the first stage of the '1000 for 1000' exchange took place in accordance with agreements reached through the mediation of the United States."
"The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, acting on the instructions of the President of Ukraine, has liberated the first group from Russian captivity — 205 defenders."
"Servicemen of the AFU, including representatives of the Navy, Land Forces, Air Assault Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Air Force, as well as fighters of the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service, have returned home. Practically all the servicemen released today spent 4 years in captivity. Most of them were captured during the defense of Mariupol. It is the duration of captivity that is the key principle for forming the '1000 for 1000' exchange lists. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, more than fifty officers were successfully brought home. Among those released today is a National Guardsman who was captured at the Chornobyl NPP. The youngest liberated Defender turned 21, the oldest is 62 years old," the Coordination Headquarters stated.
"The liberated Defenders will be taken to medical centers to undergo all necessary examinations, further treatment, and medical rehabilitation. They will be provided with the necessary assistance, receive documents, and appropriate monetary payments," the statement reads.
"We express our gratitude to the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates for their important mediation and assistance. We also thank all involved structures and organizations for their help in implementing this exchange. The Coordination Headquarters continues its work! We are preparing the next stages of the '1000 for 1000' exchange, and work is also underway on the implementation of other previous agreements. We are working on the return of everyone!" the Coordination Headquarters emphasized.
Delay in prisoner of war exchange is due solely to Russia's position – Lubinets12.05.26, 20:58