Zelenskyy: 193 Ukrainian warriors return home as part of exchange
Another 193 Ukrainian warriors return home as part of a routine exchange, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports.
"Servicemen from the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, the National Police, and the State Special Transport Service. They defended Ukraine in various directions. Among them are those against whom Russia initiated criminal cases, as well as the wounded," he wrote on Telegram.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the fact that exchanges are continuing and that our people are returning home.
"I thank everyone who works for the sake of the exchanges. Every unit on the front that ensures the replenishment of the exchange fund for Ukraine. I am grateful to all the partners who help in this. We remember every man and woman and continue our work every day to bring our people home from Russian captivity," the President emphasized.
Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov noted that this is "effectively the second stage of the Easter exchange."
"Free at last are many young Ukrainian soldiers born in 2000, soldiers and officers who defended our state in all directions of the front; there are wounded. Some of those released were in illegal detention in Chechnya. My congratulations to all our warriors and their relatives who waited for this day… They are already being provided with medical and other necessary assistance," he wrote on Telegram.
Budanov thanked partners from the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates for their help in the exchange.
In turn, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported on Telegram that all those released were held in the Chechen Republic, and that work on their release had been ongoing for a long time.
"All (except for one defender) who are returning home today were not confirmed in captivity through the ICRC. They were confirmed from other sources. One of those returned home was considered missing," he said.
The Ombudswoman emphasized that the released Ukrainians have injuries and illnesses, they are exhausted, and they need treatment and psychological support due to what they experienced in captivity.
"The oldest released person is 59 years old, the youngest is 23 years old. There are several birthday boys: two of them celebrate their birthdays today—the guys are 26 and 29 years old. Another one had his birthday yesterday—he turned 36. Another guy will celebrate his birthday tomorrow—his 49th," Lubinets said.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (KSHPPV) reported that among the liberated servicemen are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including a significant number of paratroopers. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, it was possible to release several officers.
"All those released will undergo a full medical examination, receive assistance with physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all state-mandated payments. Ukraine will ensure the reintegration of the heroes into society after long isolation," the headquarters’ message on Telegram says.
As reported, on April 11, 175 Ukrainian servicemen returned home from Russian captivity; seven civilians were also successfully returned with them. Most of those who returned had been in captivity since 2022. In particular, it was possible to release 25 officers whom Russia had previously categorically refused to exchange.
Before that, the last exchange of prisoners of war took place on March 6.
On March 26, Zelenskyy reported that during four years of the work of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 8,669 Ukrainians, both military and civilian, have been returned home.
