Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukraine has secured the return of 185 military personnel and one civilian from Russian captivity in the latest prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Moscow, marking another significant step in efforts to bring home those held since the early stages of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of the defenders, stating that the released personnel include soldiers, sergeants, and officers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
Among those freed are servicemen who took part in the defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant, as well as soldiers who fought on several key frontlines across Ukraine. Many of the returning defenders had been held in Russian captivity since 2022 and had waited years for their release.
Images released following the exchange showed emotional scenes as the returning soldiers were reunited with their families and loved ones after years of separation.
President Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to securing the release of all remaining prisoners, emphasizing that efforts to bring every captive home would continue. He also expressed gratitude to the teams and international partners involved in facilitating the exchange.
The prisoner swap is part of ongoing humanitarian negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides continuing exchanges despite the ongoing conflict. Officials described the return of the defenders as an important humanitarian achievement and a source of hope for families still awaiting the return of their relatives.
