Easter prisoner swap: 130 Ukrainian defenders released from Russian captivity

Ukraine and Russia have conducted an Easter prisoner swap, and 130 Ukrainian defenders are returning home.

The relevant statement was made by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The great Easter prisoner exchange. We are bringing 130 of our people back. It has been taking place in several stages in the past few days. Servicemen, border guards, National Guard members, sailors, State Special Transport Service employees,” Yermak wrote.

In his words, among those released from Russian captivity, there are private soldiers and sergeants who had been taken prisoner in the Bakhmut, Soledar, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions.

“Our people are returning home. Easter. The quintessence of this holiday is hope. This is exactly what the relatives of the prisoners felt, who had been waiting for them for so long,” Yermak stressed.

Video: Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War

According to Yermak, “the life of ours is the highest value to us”. He reiterated President Zelensky’s words that Ukraine would need its heroes to be alive.

Yermak emphasized that the Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War continues to perform the task set by the Head of State, which is to bring each Ukrainian back.