Ukraine names key feature of new prisoner exchange with Russia
Photo: Ukrainian servicemen have returned home from Russian captivity
Ukraine and Russia carried out their 73rd prisoner-of-war exchange today, April 24. Young defenders were among those brought home, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
"The key feature of this exchange is that we managed to bring back young men born in the 2000s, as well as wounded defenders," the headquarters said.
Most of the released defenders had been unlawfully held in Chechnya. Criminal cases were fabricated against some of them, in violation of the Geneva Conventions.
Those returning home include members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, notably a significant number of paratroopers. Fighters from the Navy, Territorial Defense Forces, National Guard, National Police, State Special Transport Service, and State Border Guard Service have also returned. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, several officers were freed.
The released servicemen had defended Ukraine in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kursk directions. The youngest is 24 years old. He was captured on the Donetsk front in 2023. The oldest freed serviceman is 60.
Two of the defenders will celebrate their birthdays today at home.
"All those released will undergo full medical examinations, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation assistance, and all state-mandated payments," the headquarters added.
New prisoner swap
Today, April 24, 193 Ukrainian servicemen returned home as part of the latest prisoner exchange with Russia.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the first to announce the exchange.
All details are in the RBC-Ukraine report.
