Another 300 Ukrainian defenders returning home from Russian captivity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 300 Ukrainian defenders, as well as two civilians, are returning home from Russian captivity.
“Another 300 Ukrainian defenders are returning home from Russian captivity. Two Ukrainian civilians were also successfully returned today,” Zelenskyy said on X Friday.
The President reported that among them are defenders from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
“Privates, sergeants, and officers. They defended Ukraine in various sectors – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Kherson, and in Mariupol. Most of them had been in captivity for more than a year, some since 2022,” Zelenskyy noted.
He thanked all the soldiers who ensured this result by replenishing the exchange fund for Ukraine, as well as the entire team that worked towards this result.
“I am grateful to the United States for their mediation. It is important that the agreements have worked. We remember everyone, and we must bring all our people home,” the head of state emphasized.
On March 5, Zelenskyy announced the return of 200 Ukrainians from Russian captivity and thanked the United States for its support in implementing the exchange.
The 500-for-500 POW swap was conducted within the framework of the Geneva agreements.
On February 14, Zelenskyy stated that Russia currently holds approximately 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Ukraine holds more than 4,000 Russian prisoners, and could conduct an all-for-all exchange if Russia is ready.
