President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced a successful prisoner exchange with Russia, under which 189 soldiers returned to their homeland, including the defenders of Azovstal and Snake Island. The Russian side previously announced an exchange in the 150-150 format.
“The return of our people from Russian captivity is always very good news for each of us. Today is one of those days: our team managed to bring 189 Ukrainians home,” Zelensky wrote on the X platform.
The president explained that among the prisoners who returned to Ukraine are, among others, defenders of metallurgical plants Azovstal in Mariupol, Snake Island, where Ukrainian border guards refused to surrender to Russian troops, and soldiers who defended the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
“And also two civilians who were captured (by the Russians) in Mariupol. Family and loved ones are waiting for each of them at home. We are glad that we managed to recover them. Today, 189 families are happy again,” Zelensky emphasized.
The exchange took place thanks to the intermediation of international partners, including: United Arab Emirates – explained the president.
Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia
The Ukrainian Coordinating Staff for Prisoners of War said Monday's exchange was one of the largest carried out since the official incursion. Russia to Ukraine in February 2022. In total, 3,956 people imprisoned in Russia have returned to their homeland since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. This year there were 1,358.
“Many Ukrainian citizens (mentioned on Monday) have been in Russian captivity for over two and a half years. The defenders suffer from acute chronic diseases, suffer the consequences of injuries caused by explosions and have serious wounds,” the Coordination Staff said.
The previous exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia took place on October 18. 95 people from each side returned to the country.
Main photo source: X/ZelenskyyUa