Ukrainian marine returns home after four years in Russian captivity

During a prisoner exchange, Yevhenii Demchuk, a marine from the village of Lvove in the Kherson region, has returned to Ukraine after spending four years in captivity.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported on Facebook by the Tiahynka territorial community.

“Among those who have finally breathed the air of freedom is Yevhenii Demchuk, a resident of the village of Lvove in the Tiahynka community in the Kherson region. This is truly a real Easter miracle!” the post reads.

The man served in the 36th Marine Brigade. He went missing in Mariupol on April 13, 2022, and had been held in Russian captivity for four years.

“We know how long the family waited for their son, grandson, and brother. Your unwavering faith and resilience became the light that guided Yevhenii home through all the trials,” the statement emphasized.

As Ukrinform previously reported, a prisoner exchange took place on April 11. A total of 175 defenders and seven civilians returned to Ukraine. According to the Coordination Headquarters, this was the 72nd exchange, notable for the fact that almost all those released had been in captivity since 2022.

Photo: Nataliia Pavlychenko / Tiahynka territorial community, Facebook