Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has successfully returned 5,857 individuals from captivity, with an additional 555 remaining outside of exchange agreements.

This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Facebook, following a meeting with representatives of the organizations involved in the release of captives.

“Today, I held a meeting with almost all members of our team working towards the release of captives. Participants included representatives from the headquarters, exchange services, the Office team, and our heroes who have returned from Russian captivity — defenders from various fronts, including Mariupol, the 'Azov' fighters, and our paramedic Tyra, along with civilian Lenіya Umerova, who was captured in Crimea,” said Zelensky.

He expressed gratitude to all for attending the meeting. The participants also honored the memory of soldiers who died in a Russian terror attack in Olenivka.

“We discussed the most important issue: the return of all our people home and the current status of exchanges. We do not stop for a single day. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, we have returned a total of 5,857 individuals alive. Outside of exchanges, there are still 555 people. Through the exchanges conducted in Istanbul, we have brought back over a thousand of our soldiers. We hope to also free the civilians still held in Russia,” emphasized Zelensky.

He noted the importance of continuing exchanges and verifying the situation for each name.

“Every individual is important. I am grateful to everyone who is doing their utmost to facilitate exchanges and to all who assist. I thank our soldiers who replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine,” added Zelensky.