As part of a new prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, 193 Ukrainian service members are returning home.
This was reported by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“193 Ukrainian defenders are returning home as part of the exchange. They include servicemen from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, National Police, and the State Special Transport Service. They defended Ukraine across various sectors. Among them are those against whom Russia has opened criminal cases, as well as wounded servicemen,” the statement said.
The President stressed that exchanges are important and that Ukrainians are returning home.
“I thank everyone who works to make exchanges possible. Every unit on the frontline that helps replenish Ukraine’s exchange fund. I am grateful to all partners who assist in this. We remember everyone, and every day we continue working to bring our people home from Russian captivity,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
As reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, a key feature of the 73rd exchange is the return of servicemen born in the 2000s, as well as wounded defenders.
Most of those released had been illegally held in Chechnya. Some of them had fabricated criminal cases brought against them, which constitutes a violation of the Geneva Conventions.
The released servicemen defended Ukraine in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhya and Kursk directions. The youngest defender is 24 years old. He was captured in the Donetsk direction in 2023. The oldest released defender is 60 years old. Two servicemen will celebrate their birthdays today already on home soil.
“All released servicemen will undergo a full medical examination, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation support, as well as all state-provided payments. Ukraine will ensure the reintegration of its heroes into society after prolonged isolation. We express our gratitude to the United States and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in organising the exchange.
We also thank all involved structures and organisations for their coordinated efforts aimed at securing the release of our citizens,” the Coordination Headquarters emphasised.