Ukraine brings back 200 defenders in prisoner swap with Russia

Ukraine has brought back 200 defenders from Russian captivity in the first stage of a prisoner exchange agreed upon in Geneva.

Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (Twitter); Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Quote from the Coordination Headquarters: "The first stage of the prisoner exchange agreed upon at the Geneva talks has taken place today. The Coordination Headquarters, acting on the instruction of the President of Ukraine, has freed 200 service personnel from Russian captivity."

Details: Those returning home are members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Ukrainian Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defence Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces, Air Assault Forces and the Air Force, as well as the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine. Among those freed are defenders of Mariupol, who spent almost 4 years in captivity.

The released personnel defended Ukraine on the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia fronts. Officers were freed as well, in addition to privates and sergeants.

Those released will undergo full medical checks, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation support and will be paid all state benefits due to them.

Today's exchange implemented agreements on prisoner swaps reached during trilateral talks in Geneva.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back. No one is forgotten. We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible. I am grateful to all our warriors who are replenishing Ukraine's exchange fund on the front lines. The return of our people home is the result of the strength of Ukrainian defenders."

Background:

• Earlier, Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation at talks with Ukraine and an aide to Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, announced that a prisoner exchange of 500 for 500 would take place on 5-6 March under the agreements reached in Geneva.
• On 5 February, the first prisoner exchange in five months took place, with Ukraine bringing home 157 POWs held by the Kremlin, including both military personnel and civilians.
• Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó reported that during his visit to Moscow, Russia handed over two prisoners of war who fought in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and hold both Hungarian and Ukrainian citizenship. He said they had been brought back to Hungary.

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