Zelenskyy announces swap start which will last several days
The exchange began on Monday and will continue in the coming days. Among the categories of those being returned are the wounded and those under 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
“Our people are home. Ukrainians are returning home from Russian captivity. Today, an exchange began, which will continue in several stages over the coming days. Among those we are bringing back now are the wounded, the severely wounded, and those under the age of 25. The process is quite complex, with many sensitive details, and negotiations continue virtually every day,” Zelenskyy said on X.
The President expects that the agreements on humanitarian issues reached during the meeting in Istanbul will be fully implemented.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is doing its utmost to return all prisoners and is working at all levels to achieve this.
“We must bring home everyone who remains in captivity. I thank everyone who is helping,” Zelenskyy added.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reports that those released include representatives of the Navy, Ground Forces, Troops of the Territorial Defense Forces, Air Force, Airborne Assault Troops, Border Guard Service, National Guard and the State Special Transport Service.
"All those released are privates and sergeants. Among the released Defenders are defenders of Mariupol, who spent more than three years in captivity," says the message published on the Telegram channel.
The final figures of those released will be published after the completion of the exchange process.
According to the Coordination Headquarters, which was reposted by the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense (GUR), work is also continuing on the repatriation of the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who died defending the Motherland.
