Ukraine's Intelligence chief announces next stage of prisoner exchange to take place soon
Photo: Head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The next stage of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia is expected soon. Preparations are underway, according to the Telegram channel of Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR).
"A new group of Ukrainian servicemen with serious injuries and illnesses has been released from Russian captivity. Infantrymen, sailors, paratroopers, National Guard members, border guards, Air Force soldiers, and territorial defense fighters are returning home. Among them are defenders of Mariupol who spent over three years in captivity," Budanov wrote.
According to him, the defenders will receive medical care, rehabilitation, and proper compensation.
"We expect the next stage of the exchange soon. Work is ongoing," the head of HUR said.
Prisoner exchange
Today, June 12, Ukraine and Russia conducted the next stage of a prisoner exchange under the agreements reached in Istanbul during the second round of negotiations. Both sides returned groups of wounded and severely wounded fighters home.
Among those returned are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including from the Air Assault Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, Territorial Defense Forces, Special Operations Forces, as well as the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard of Ukraine.
Among those released today are defenders of Mariupol who were held captive for over three years. All the freed defenders are men, mostly enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers.
Some of the Ukrainian soldiers freed today were previously considered missing in action.
In total, the Ukrainians returning home fought on the Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk fronts.
