Zelenskyy announced a new exchange: another 160 military personnel returned from Russian captivity, including defenders of Mariupol
Kyiv • UNN
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an exchange as a result of which 160 Ukrainian military personnel who had been in captivity since 2022 returned home. Among those released are defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as military personnel from various front-line directions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on another exchange and the return from Russian captivity of 160 servicemen who had been held captive since 2022, among them defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, UNN writes.
We continue to bring Ukrainians home from Russian captivity. Today, 160 servicemen were freed from captivity. All had been in captivity since 2022
According to him, "among those freed today are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, National Guardsmen, and border guards. They defended Ukraine in Mariupol and at Azovstal, on the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy directions."
"I thank our entire team that works every day to bring our people back. Special gratitude to all our units on the front line who replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine and, with their courage, provide us with the opportunity to bring people back. We remember everyone who is in captivity. We check every last name. We must bring everyone back – both military and civilians," the President stated.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated that this is the 76th prisoner exchange.
"Another combined prisoner exchange has been conducted. As a result of the negotiation process, 160 Ukrainian warriors who had been in captivity since 2022 were freed. Among those released are 115 defenders of Mariupol. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, 58 officers were brought home. The youngest freed Defender turned 26 years old. The oldest is 66," the Coordination Headquarters stated.
All those freed, as reported, will undergo a medical examination, receive necessary treatment, monetary payments, documents, and will go for rehabilitation to return to society after prolonged isolation in Russian captivity.
"In total, over the period of its activity, the Coordination Headquarters has brought back 9,606 military personnel and civilians from captivity," the statement reads.
The Coordination Headquarters expressed "sincere gratitude to the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates for their important mediation and assistance in organizing the exchange." As well as to all state structures, organizations, and specialists who work every day to bring our citizens home.