- Ukraine has brought home 160 servicemen from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.
- All of them had been held since 2022, he added in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.
- 160 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were released in the latest exchange with Russia, President Zelensky said on June 26.
- The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the exchange of 160 POWs each between Ukraine and Russia had taken place, Kremlin-controlled news agency Ria Novosti reported.
- Among the Ukrainian POWs released are soldiers who defended the Azovstal steel plant, the last Ukrainian stronghold in Mariupol, before the city fell to Russia in May 2022.
- Ukraine has secured the return of 115 defenders of Mariupol, including privates, sergeants, and 58 officers.
- All those freed will undergo medical examinations and receive treatment, financial assistance, and rehabilitation to help them reintegrate into society after their prolonged isolation.
- Prisoner swaps have been one of the only areas of practical cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow since the invasion began in February 2022.
- Since its establishment, the Coordination Headquarters has secured the return of 9,606 Ukrainian military personnel and civilians from captivity.
Ukraine has successfully conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing home 160 servicemen from Russian captivity, all held since 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the handover on social media, stating, "We continue bringing Ukrainians home from Russian captivity. Today, 160 service members were released."
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange, stating, "160 Russian servicemen have been returned" in the swap. This exchange is part of ongoing efforts to secure the release of captured soldiers, with Zelenskiy emphasizing, "We remember everyone who is in captivity." Among those released are 115 defenders of Mariupol, including soldiers from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and border guards.4
The Coordination Headquarters reported that this was the 76th prisoner exchange since the conflict escalated in February 2022. Since its establishment, the headquarters has facilitated the return of 9,606 Ukrainian military personnel and civilians from captivity. All released individuals will undergo medical examinations and receive necessary treatment and rehabilitation to reintegrate into society after their prolonged isolation.
Prisoner swaps have been one of the few areas of cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow amid ongoing hostilities, with Abu Dhabi playing a role in facilitating these exchanges.
“Ukraine and Russia have successfully exchanged 160 servicemen, all of whom had been held captive since 2022. This marks a significant development in ongoing prisoner swaps amid the conflict.”
Euronews
