Ukraine Returns 150 Defenders from Russian Captivity

According to Zelensky, some of the soldiers were held captive for more than two years.

Another prisoner exchange took place, 150 defenders of Ukraine returned home from Russian captivity . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported this on his Telegram channel , noting that today is a good day for all of us.

“We are returning 150 of our defenders from Russian captivity. These are soldiers, sergeants, officers. Soldiers of the Navy who were captured in Mariupol and the Zaporizhia region, the Air Force, the Airborne Assault and Ground Forces, National Guardsmen, border guards, territorial defense forces, and also a policeman. They are all from different directions of the front, but they have one thing in common: they fought for Ukraine,” the head of state said.

He noted that some of the soldiers had been held captive for more than two years.

“And today for them and their families is a day that weighs more than years of waiting. It is real happiness to see them at home, alive, free,” Zelensky wrote.

The return of Ukrainian soldiers / photo t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

The President thanked everyone who is working to bring back our people.

“Thank you to our partners, in particular the UAE, and those who support us on this path,” he said, adding that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back.

At the same time, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klimenko noted in his Telegram channel that among those released from Russian captivity today are 42 military personnel and employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“These are the defenders of Mariupol, Azovstal and the Ilyich plant, as well as those who stood in defense of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, settlements in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 22 National Guardsmen, 19 border guards and one policeman,” he noted.

Klimenko reported that among those released there are fighters in serious condition.

“We will definitely make sure that each of them receives the necessary treatment and care. They have a long rehabilitation and recovery ahead of them,” the minister added.

(C)UNIAN 2025