Mariupol
Ukrainian servicemen released from Russian captivity burned the prison clothes they were given. Among those returned are fighters under 25 years old, seriously ill and seriously wounded, including defenders of Mariupol and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, announced a successful prisoner exchange, within which young, seriously ill, and wounded defenders were returned. He announced new good news regarding exchanges in the near future.
Ukraine has returned home a group of Defenders under the age of 25, defenders with injuries and health problems. The vast majority of those released were held in captivity for more than three years, including those captured during the defense of Mariupol.
Russia is preparing infrastructure in temporarily occupied Mariupol for the transportation of military cargo, intensifying the work of the port and railway. Modernization of the port is planned for the export of stolen grain and metal, as well as the creation of conditions for the rapid transfer of fuel.
Mi helicopters form the basis of Ukraine's army aviation, performing critical combat, logistics and rescue missions in wartime, including the evacuation of the wounded from Mariupol. The effectiveness of their use, despite their age and the complexity of modernization, depends on well-thought-out logistics, repair and crew training.
Over 150 young tennis players competed at the Raif Kids Cup children's tournament in Kyiv, where they won medals and gained sports experience. Among the winners are students of the PULSE table tennis school, which is supported by the Favbet Foundation.
The Russians confirmed a strike on Mariupol, which damaged a Buk anti-aircraft missile system. Petro Andryushchenko reported that the damaged air defense system was transported for repairs.
The station has been turned into a military base from which Russians attack Ukrainian cities, while experts see informational manipulations in statements about the possible launch of reactors and warn about the danger of such actions.
According to former Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, Russian negotiators behave politely, but are not authorized to make decisions and are merely a mouthpiece for the Kremlin, afraid to relay "bad news" to the top. They do not inform Moscow about the real situation at the front, which became evident during an attempt to organize an exchange of bodies of the fallen.
On June 20, the SBU released exclusive video of the prisoner exchange involving defenders from Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. The exchange was made possible thanks to the work of the Joint Center and the Coordination Headquarters.
Today, June 20, Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing home servicemen who have severe injuries or serious health problems, among them defenders of Mariupol. The oldest released is 60 years old, and all of them will receive necessary medical assistance and rehabilitation.
Moscow's Lokomotiv received a three-year transfer ban and is obliged to pay FC Mariupol 50,000 euros for the transfer of Marc René Mampassi. This decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed the previous FIFA decision, despite Russian appeals.
President Zelenskyy announced the return from Russian captivity of most of the soldiers who had been there for more than two years. Among them are defenders of Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, and Chernihiv Oblast.
The state-owned company "Ukrbud" was acquired for UAH 805 million by the company "Petro Oil And Chemicals", linked to Georgian oligarch Bezhuashvili. His business controls Russian assets, and the deal was facilitated by relatives of ex-mayor Chernovetsky and businessman Timur Mindich.
Ukraine is preparing a new stage of prisoner exchange with Russia. Recently, a group of severely wounded and seriously ill soldiers, most of whom are defenders of Mariupol, returned from Russian captivity.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans for a prisoner exchange next week. There was also an exchange during which officers, border guards, soldiers and sergeants held since 2022 were returned.
On June 13, 2014, Ukrainian troops liberated Mariupol from pro-Russian militants. In 2022, the city was once again occupied as a result of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation.
Today is celebrated Sewing Machine Day, International Axe Throwing Day, World Softball Day, the Day of Liberation of Mariupol, and International Albinism Awareness Day.
In Kyiv, the unique mosaic panel "Kestrel" (orig. "Boriviter"), which was destroyed by the occupiers in Mariupol, has been restored. It will later be exhibited in various cities of Ukraine and Europe.
Severely wounded and sick Ukrainian defenders, including the defenders of Mariupol, have been released from Russian captivity. They will receive medical assistance, rehabilitation, and payments.
On the day of Russia, residents of the occupied cities of Ukraine showed Russian passports, emphasizing that this is not their choice, but a consequence of the occupation. The action covered the cities of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Kyrylo Budanov announced the preparation of a new stage of the prisoner exchange. Today, soldiers returned home, including defenders of Mariupol.
A group of seriously wounded and sick soldiers, including the defenders of Mariupol, have been returned to Ukraine. Some of the released soldiers were considered missing in the war.
Ukrainian soldiers were returned from Russian captivity in critical condition. Many of them have serious injuries, illnesses and need immediate medical assistance.
A group of soldiers with amputations, vision problems and other serious health problems have been returned to Ukraine. They will be provided with all the necessary medical assistance and rehabilitation.
The Coordination Headquarters announced the preparation of a new stage of the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war. A large exchange is underway, the details of which will be announced later for security reasons.
In the temporarily occupied Mariupol, Russians are conducting raids on Ukrainians without a Russian passport. The goal is to put pressure on local residents who have not obtained a Russian passport.
Military personnel of the "Azov" regiment in Russia were sentenced to long prison terms for allegedly killing civilians during the battles for Mariupol. Orlov was sentenced to 26 years, Novikov - 24 years.
The ATESH movement has discovered "Sitronics KT" JSC in St. Petersburg, which develops and maintains UAVs with a range of over 200 km and trains operators for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
The SBU has notified two Russian judges of suspicion, who illegally sentenced two captured "AZOV" soldiers to 18 years in prison. They were tried on fabricated charges.