Key points
- Ukraine has returned 205 defenders from Russian captivity as part of the 74th exchange – this is the first part of a large exchange under the formula “1,000 for 1,000”.
- 193 out of 205 released defenders were captured in 2022, mostly during the defense of Mariupol, in particular at Azovstal.
- Among the returned are military personnel of the Armed Forces, Territorial Defense, National Guard, border guards, and Azov fighters.
- Many of the released have serious injuries and wounds – ahead of them is rehabilitation, restoration of documents and bank cards.
- The exchange coincided with International Family Day – today 205 families are reunited.
Ukraine has returned 205 defenders from Russian captivity as part of the 74th exchange – this is the first part of the exchange under the formula “1,000 for 1,000”, reported the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets.
Among the released are military personnel of the Armed Forces, in particular the Territorial Defense Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and Azov fighters.
Most of the returned are junior and senior officers, there are also officers. The youngest defender is 21 years old, the oldest is 62.
193 out of 205 defenders released today were captured in 2022. These are mostly defenders of Mariupol, in particular Azovstal. Among the returned is a military man who was sentenced in Russia and later pardoned.
Many released Ukrainians return with serious injuries, undermined health, and severe psychological consequences. There are those defenders who were evacuated from Azovstal wounded. Ahead of all of them is rehabilitation, restoration of documents and bank cards.
– Dmytro Lubinets.
All returned were confirmed to be in captivity through the International Committee of the Red Cross. Two of the released today are celebrating their birthdays.
It is especially pleasant that the exchange took place on International Family Day – and 205 families are reunited again today!
– Dmytro Lubinets.
The return of the defenders was coordinated by the negotiation group of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which brings together representatives of various government agencies.
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