New Phase of Prisoner Exchanges in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the successful completion of another phase of military prisoner exchanges, with many captives having been held for an extended period.
This announcement was made via Telegram.
«We are continuing the exchanges. Today, soldiers from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service are returning home. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022. Our goal is to bring everyone home,» Zelensky stated.
The President expressed gratitude to all those involved in the exchange process.
The Coordination Headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war reported that representatives from various branches of the military, including the National Guard and State Border Guard Service, have returned to Ukraine.
The majority of those returned had been held captive for over three years, with many having been captured during the fierce battles for Mariupol.
"Among those released are officers, the oldest being 62 years old and the youngest 24 years old," said the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, on Telegram.
Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, noted that the youngest among the released was captured at the age of 21 during the defense of Mariupol.
«Today, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we have freed another group of defenders. According to agreements reached in Istanbul, fighters under 25 years old, as well as those who are seriously ill or severely wounded, are returning,» he added.
Budanov also emphasized: «We are continuing our work. We expect good news soon. We are fighting for each and every one of them.»
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, informed that among those released are individuals who were considered missing.
"Some of their stories are truly miraculous. They were missing, but despite the uncertainty, the state continued searching for them. And today they are with us," Klymenko noted.
The Coordination Headquarters also mentioned that a significant feature of today's exchange phase is the return of young soldiers, including a 24-year-old defender who was captured at the age of 21 during the defense of Mariupol.
Additionally, National Guardsmen who were guarding the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone have been freed.
The oldest soldier returning home is 62 years old.
Among those released are also officers.
Overall, Ukrainians who defended the country across various fronts are returning home.
The freed defenders will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, and all due payments for their time in captivity, as emphasized by the Coordination Headquarters.
