Ukraine has returned 207 prisoners of war from Russian captivity. This was reported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He thanked the Ukrainian team that worked on the return of the POWs. According to him, these are, in particular, the head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Malyuk, the Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and others.
"Our people are at home. 207 guys. We are returning them no matter what. We remember each and every one of them in captivity. Soldiers and civilians. We have to bring everyone back. We are working on it. Now we have another great job by the Ukrainian team. Budanov, Yermak, Usov, Malyuk, Klymenko - well done!" he wrote.
Andriy Yermak, the deputy head of presidential office, said that the released Ukrainians include soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and National Police - soldiers, sergeants, and officers.
The Coordination HQ for the Treatment of POWs reported that the rescued servicemen included 95 representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 56 National Guard, 26 border guards, 29 Territorial Defence servicemen and one representative of the National Police of Ukraine.
"180 of the defenders returning home are privates and sergeants, and another 27 are Ukrainian officers. At least 36 of them are injured or seriously ill. The oldest of the released defenders is already 61 years old, and the youngest will soon be 21," the statement said.
Junior Sergeant Zakhar was rescued from Russian captivity. He fell into the hands of Russian terrorists together with his wife Tetyana after being evacuated from Azovstal in May 2022. In less than six months, the woman was exchanged and returned to Ukraine. Tetyana settled with her two daughters in Dnipro. However, on 14 January, the Russians fired a missile at the residential building where the family lived. The woman died under the rubble, along with her younger daughter and her husband's mother. Eldest 19-year-old daughter Ruslana is still waiting for her father to return.
"The medics who saved their comrades and civilians in superhuman conditions at Azovstal are returning home. A senior lieutenant who has been defending Ukraine since 2014, who fought in Debaltseve and was twice awarded the Order for Courage, has returned to his homeland. Two brothers, soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Anatoliy and Pavlo, were released from captivity. Another defender of Zmiyinyy Island was also rescued," the headquarters added.
Since the full-scale invasion, 3,035 Ukrainian defenders have been rescued from Russian captivity. The Coordination Headquarters expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their assistance and support in organising this exchange.