Zelensky: 185 soldiers, one civilian return from Russian captivity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that 185 Ukrainian defenders and one civilian have been returned from Russian captivity.
According to his statement on Telegram, Ukraine has managed to bring back 185 service members, along with one civilian, from Russian detention, Ukrinform reports.
"Another 185 Ukrainian defenders are returning home today from Russian captivity. One civilian is also returning along with the defenders. They are warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine – privates, sergeants, and officers. They defended our state in Mariupol and at Azovstal, as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and Kursk sectors," he said.
Zelensky added that some of those released had been held in Russian captivity since 2022.
The president also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in prisoner exchanges, including the teams working on them, international partners, and Ukrainian service members who help replenish the exchange fund.
"The work continues. The return of our people is a constant priority for Ukraine. Every day, we are working to free every Ukrainian man and woman from captivity," Zelensky said.
Earlier, on May 15, the first stage of a "1,000-for-1,000" prisoner exchange took place, during which 205 Ukrainian defenders were returned from Russian captivity.