60 Ukrainians return from Russia and occupied territories, ombudsman says
Photo: 60 citizens have returned to Ukraine from Russia and the occupied territories (t.me/dmytro_lubinetzs)
Fifteen Ukrainian citizens have returned to Ukraine from Russia and temporarily occupied territories, most of them with limited mobility. The return took place within the framework of the family reunification procedure, according to Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
According to Lubinets, the returns are the result of prior systematic humanitarian work, particularly for individuals who, for various reasons, could not leave Russia or the occupied areas on their own.
"Fifteen of our citizens returned to Ukraine from Russia and temporarily occupied territories, most of whom are low-mobility," Lubinets said.
Among those returning was a 56-year-old woman who had suffered a stroke and had been forced to stay in Russia since 2022. Her daughter contacted the Ombudsman's Office for help, and after nearly four years apart, the family was reunited.
Lubinets also noted that during a working meeting with Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, a number of humanitarian agreements were reached.
These included the transfer of 2,000 humanitarian parcels and letters for prisoners of war, lists of seriously wounded and ill citizens, and lists of missing persons under special circumstances. Discussions also addressed unlawfully detained Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war sentenced in Russia.
Additionally, 45 more Ukrainian citizens were returned from temporary detention centers for foreigners in Russia.
Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia to resume
On Saturday, 15 November, Umerov announced the resumption of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, with around 1,200 Ukrainians expected to be released from Russian captivity.
According to him, after consultations in Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, both sides agreed to activate the Istanbul agreements to carry out the exchanges.
The last exchange took place in early October, when 185 Ukrainian defenders returned home, including National Guard members who had defended the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. The youngest released was 26 years old, and the oldest was 59.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War also reported that it is currently working in two directions: exchanges based on the Istanbul agreements and so-called "numbered exchanges."
