Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the completion of yet another stage of prisoner exchanges, with most of the soldiers having been in captivity since 2022.
This was shared in a message on Telegram.
«We are continuing the exchanges, and today marks another stage. Soldiers from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and the State Border Service are returning home. Most have been in captivity since 2022. We are doing everything possible to locate everyone and bring them home,» Zelensky stated.
The President also expressed gratitude to everyone assisting Ukraine in facilitating these exchanges.
The Coordination Headquarters reported that representatives from various military branches, including the Navy and National Guard, have returned to Ukraine.
It is noted that the majority of today's released defenders had been held captive for over three years, with many captured during the defense of Mariupol.
"Among those returned are also officers. The oldest released is 62 years old, and the youngest is 24 years old," wrote the Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, on Telegram.
According to Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry, the youngest released individual was captured at the age of 21 during the defense of Mariupol.
«Today, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, yet another group of Ukrainian defenders has been liberated from Russian captivity. According to agreements reached in Istanbul, fighters aged up to 25 years, as well as those severely ill or injured, are returning,» he noted.
Budanov also stated: «We are continuing our work. We expect good news soon. We are fighting for the return of every individual».
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko informed that among those released in the latest prisoner exchange are individuals who were considered missing.
"The stories of some of them are truly miraculous. They were thought to be missing, but despite the uncertainty, the state continued the search. And today they are with us," Klymenko emphasized.
The Coordination Headquarters also mentioned that the uniqueness of today's exchange is the return of young soldiers. The youngest defender is 24 years old and was captured during the defense of Mariupol in April 2022 at the age of 21.
Also released were National Guardsmen who were guarding Chernobyl.
The oldest soldier returned to the homeland is 62 years old.
Among those released today are also officers.
In total, Ukrainians who defended the country in various regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Luhansk, are returning home.
The released defenders will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all due payments for the time spent in captivity, the Coordination Headquarters emphasized.