Ukraine frees 100 defenders from Russian captivity
Ukraine brings back 100 defenders from Russian captivity (Photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine has conducted another exchange of prisoners with the Russian Federation. As a result, 100 defenders have returned home, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
"Another 100 Ukrainians are back home, in Ukraine. National Guard, border guards, Armed Forces. Most of them are defenders of Mariupol. All of them are ours, all are back in their native land. We're working on each and every one and won't stop until everyone is back," writes Zelenskyy.
According to the Coordination Headquarters, among the rescued servicemen this time are 49 National Guard soldiers, 25 border guards, and 26 servicemen of the Armed Forces, including 11 territorial defense fighters.
"All the liberated individuals are from the enlisted and sergeant ranks. 84 rescued soldiers defended Mariupol (including 82 defenders of Azovstal), while the rest were carrying out combat missions in the Donetsk and Luhansk directions," the statement says.
It is also known that a medic, who saved the wounded under extremely difficult conditions at Azovstal, and two brothers, Mykola and Roman, were rescued from Russian captivity. At least 28 of the liberated individuals have injuries or serious illnesses. The oldest is 62 years old, and the youngest is 20.
"Since the full-scale invasion, a total of 3135 Defenders have been rescued from Russian captivity," writes the Coordination Headquarters.
The department stated that humanitarian mediation was provided by the United Arab Emirates for the return of Ukrainians from captivity.
Previous prisoner exchange
The previous exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine took place on January 31. As a result, 207 Ukrainians returned to their homeland.
As clarified by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, those released from captivity included servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, as well as the National Police. Among them were defenders of Mariupol who were held at Azovstal, Snake Island, and those who fought on various fronts.
This was the 50th prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.
Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has managed to repatriate 3035 individuals, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported.
