Ukraine and Russia exchange letters from prisoners of war - Human rights commissioner
Photo: Prisoner exchange on Independence Day (Getty Images)
During the latest exchange, Ukrainian defenders in Russian captivity received letters from their families, stated the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets.
On August 24, during the most recent prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia, an important detail emerged.
"During the last return of our citizens, an exchange of letters from prisoners of war was carried out, and discussions were held regarding the delivery of humanitarian packages for POWs and family reunifications," the ombudsman said.
Details of the exchange
Ukraine conducted a new prisoner swap with Russia on Independence Day. Soldiers from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and civilians returned home. Most had been held captive since 2022. Eight Ukrainian civilians were also freed.
Among those released was journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, who had been held as a civilian hostage since 2022. He was abducted near his home in Kozarovychi, Kyiv region.
Former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko also returned home; he had refused to cooperate with Russia.
Released civilians included medic Serhiy Kovalov from the Hospitallers battalion, who saved the lives of defenders and civilians during the siege of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released exclusive video footage of the prisoner exchange on Independence Day.
