Ukraine brings back 185 defenders and 20 civilians from Russian captivity
Ukraine has brought back 185 defenders and 20 civilians from Russian captivity.
Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (Twitter); Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Facebook
Quote from Zelenskyy: "We are bringing home 185 of our defenders from Russian captivity. A total of 182 are enlisted personnel and sergeants, and two are officers. They are warriors of the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service. Alongside our defenders, civilians are also coming home – 20 of our people. Everyone will definitely receive all the support they need.
Our warriors were in Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as at the Chornobyl NPP (Nuclear Power Plant). Most have been in captivity since 2022, and now they are finally home."
Details: The Coordination Headquarters said that this was a combined exchange: Ukraine brought back 205 military personnel and civilians; some of them were exchanged under agreements in Istanbul, and some as part of the 69th exchange.
Among those released are defenders of Mariupol. National Guard servicemen who were captured while guarding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant are also coming home. The youngest freed defender is 26 years old, and the oldest is 59.
Almost all of the freed military personnel and civilians had been held in captivity since 2022.
The Coordination Headquarters noted that those released will undergo a full medical examination and receive assistance with physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all state-guaranteed payments.
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