Ukrainian defenders' return from Russian captivity, Finland's new aid package for Ukraine - Friday brief

Ukraine returns 49 more soldiers from captivity, including Azovstal defenders

On Friday, September 13, another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. Ukraine managed to return 49 soldiers, including Azovstal defenders.

“49 Ukrainians are home. These are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, as well as our civilians,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

According to the president, among them is Leniie Umerova, a girl who was taken hostage by Russians when she came to take care of her sick father.

“We also managed to release some more defenders of Azovstal. The Hero of Ukraine, military medic Viktor Ivchuk is also home,” Zelenskyy added.

According to the Coordination Headquarters, this exchange is special because for the first time in a long time, 23 women were released from captivity.

In addition, 23 soldiers and sergeants and 19 officers were released.

Finland announces new €118 million aid package for Ukraine

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has approved the decision to supply additional defense equipment to Ukraine, following a proposal from the government. This marks the 25th military aid package sent by Helsinki, according to the Finnish Ministry of Defense.

The new package is valued at approximately €118 million, bringing Finland’s total military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war to €2.3 billion.

Details regarding the contents, timing, and delivery methods of the aid are not being disclosed for security reasons.

US imposes sanctions on Russian media group Rossiya Segodnya and propagandist Dmitry Kiselev

On Friday, September 13, the United States imposed sanctions on the Russian media group Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) and its General Director, propagandist Dmitry Kiselev, according to the US Department of the Treasury.

As reported by the agency, the US sanctions list has been expanded to include the media holding Rossiya Segodnya, which encompasses, among others, the news agency RIA Novosti and the agency and radio station Sputnik.

The sanctions also target the non-commercial organization TV-Novosti, the legal entity behind the propagandist TV channel RT, and the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization Yevrazia, which is involved in promoting Russia's "cultural diplomacy" abroad.

In addition, sanctions have been imposed on Dmitry Kiselev, General Director of Rossiya Segodnya, and Nelly Parutenko, head of Yevrazia, who is a Moldovan citizen.

Netherlands sends radar for Patriot to Ukraine, will send three launchers - Defense Ministry

The Netherlands has delivered a radar for the Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine, and the country will soon send three launchers, according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.

He said that the Netherlands had recently sent a radar for the Patriot system to Ukraine and that three launchers would soon follow.

The minister clarified that other countries are still looking for additional components to provide the full system.

Zelenskyy announces meeting with Biden and reveals details

This month, a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden will take place. They will discuss Ukraine's peace plan, as stated by the Ukrainian president during the 20th annual Yalta European Strategy meeting.

"This month, our meeting with President Biden is scheduled. I will present him with the victory plan – a system of interconnected decisions that will give Ukraine enough strength to set this war on the path to peace," Zelenskyy stated.