205 citizens returned to Ukraine as part of the 69th combined exchange, which took place in accordance with the Istanbul agreements. Among those released were 185 military personnel and 20 civilians.
Most of those who returned had been held captive since 2022. Among the military personnel were representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Navy, Army, Airborne Assault Forces, Territorial Defence Forces, as well as the National Guard and State Border Guard Service. A significant portion are defenders of Mariupol.
The oldest released soldier is 59 years old, the youngest is 26. Two of them will celebrate their birthdays at home. Among the civilians who were returned from illegal detention, the youngest is 25 years old, and the oldest is 60. Many of them were detained in the first months of the full-scale invasion, often simply in their own homes.
The exchange process was made possible thanks to the work of state bodies within the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, acting on behalf of the President of Ukraine. Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office were present at the exchange site to monitor compliance with international humanitarian law, accompany the procedure and inform those released of their rights.
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