Ukraine brings back 197 defenders from Russian captivity
Photo: Ukraine conducted another prisoner exchange with Russia on March 19 (t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
Ukraine conducted another prisoner exchange with the Russian Federation today, March 19. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that a total of 175 defenders have returned from enemy captivity, while 22 more defenders are returning home through measures outside of exchanges.
"Today is another day when Ukraine brings its people back. 175 of our defenders have been freed from Russian captivity. Another 22 defenders are returning home through measures outside of exchanges. Among them are severely wounded soldiers and warriors whom Russia persecuted for fabricated crimes. All of them will immediately receive the necessary medical and psychological assistance," Zelenskyy wrote.
Zelenskyy noted that this is one of the largest exchanges in recent times. Those who were returned include soldiers, sergeants, and officers.
"These are warriors who fought for our freedom in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the Border Guard Service. They defended Ukraine in various directions – in Mariupol, at Azovstal, in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, as well as in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kursk regions," the president stated.
Previous exchanges
The previous prisoner exchange took place on February 5. At that time, Ukraine returned 150 of its citizens from Russian captivity, including soldiers, sergeants, and officers.
Another exchange occurred on January 15, when Ukraine brought back 25 of its citizens. Among them were defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as civilians.
Before that, on Monday, December 30, another exchange was conducted, during which Ukraine returned 189 of its citizens from Russian captivity.
