New Exchange of Defenders in Ukraine
Ukraine has completed a new stage of releasing military personnel: continuing the exchange under the Istanbul agreements.
Today, another prisoner exchange took place, organized by the Coordination Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War at the request of the President of Ukraine. A group of defenders classified as “wounded and seriously ill”, as well as those “under 25 years old”, was returned from Russian captivity.
Among those who returned were servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including representatives from the Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Airborne Forces, Special Operations Forces, as well as the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.
The youngest released defender is only 20 years old, while the oldest is 59. There are also officers among the released.
Today, the defenders of Mariupol, who have been held captive since 2022, were again among those freed.
The overwhelming majority of the released had been in captivity for over 3 years.
Returning home are Ukrainians who defended the country in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Kherson directions.
Today, illegally condemned defenders and civilians deprived of their liberty were also able to be released from Russian captivity.
The released individuals will undergo necessary medical examinations and receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all due payments for the time spent in captivity.
The exchange process according to the “Istanbul agreements” continues. The exact number of released persons will be announced after all exchange stages are completed.
This stage of the exchange involved the head of the Coordination Staff, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov.
The Coordination Staff continues its work. We are working to bring everyone back!
Glory to Ukraine!
