Ukraine has brought home 106 more prisoners of war, the head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, has said.
"We are bringing home 106 of our people. These are soldiers from the Bakhmut direction - eight officers and 98 soldiers and sergeants. They fought for Bakhmut and performed a feat that prevented the enemy from advancing further into our east. Each of them is a hero of our country," Yermak said.
He noted that among those being returned from captivity, many were considered missing. The relatives of these people have gone through a difficult stage.
"The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, our entire team is fulfilling the president's task to return everyone home as soon as possible. Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined this task as one of the key ones," Yermak noted.
He promised that all our people would be home.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that three bodies had also been repatriated: two foreigners and a Ukrainian woman.
"All the rescued defenders were defending our land in the Bakhmut sector, 68 of the liberated soldiers were considered missing. Among the liberated soldiers, 98 belong to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including 21 representatives of the territorial defence. Seven border guards and one serviceman of the State Special Transport Service also returned home," the HQ said in a statement.
It is noted that at least seven of the rescued defenders have various injuries: bullet and shrapnel wounds, burns and fractures, and exacerbated chronic diseases. The oldest of the released soldiers is 59 years old, the youngest is 21 years old.
In total, 2,430 people have been returned home as a result of the exchanges. Among them are 139 civilians.