Another 49 prisoners of war have returned to Ukraine. These are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, as well as civilians, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Among them is Lenya Umerova, a girl who was taken hostage by the Russians when she came to take care of her sick father. Another group of Azovstal's defenders was also released.
"The Hero of Ukraine, military medic Viktor Ivchuk is also home. I am grateful to our entire team that ensures the release of prisoners and hostages from Russian captivity. I would also like to mention each of our Ukrainian units that replenish the exchange fund for our country. All our soldiers who capture the Russian occupier, all our services that neutralise Russian saboteurs and collaborators, bring the liberation of our people closer. We have to bring home all our people - both soldiers and civilians," the President said.
The head of the patronage service said that among the exchanged persons were 15 servicemen of the then Azov regiment of the National Guard. They are returning home after more than 2 years of captivity.
Azov fighters were included in the exchange for the first time in a long time. This is a group of mostly women," she said.
Fifteen servicemen of the National Guard, 13 servicemen of the Navy, four servicemen of the State Border Guard Service, six servicemen of the Armed Forces, two servicemen from the Territorial Defence Forces, seven civilians and two police officers were released.
- The previous exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia took place on 24 August. Back then, Moscow handed over 115 Ukrainians in exchange for the military captured in the Kursk Region.