Zelensky: 193 defenders returning to Ukraine from Russian captivity

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. 

"193 Ukrainian soldiers are returning home as part of a prisoner exchange. They are 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 on various fronts. Among them are those against whom Russia has opened criminal cases, as well as the wounded," the head of state wrote.

Zelensky emphasized: it is important that the exchanges are taking place and that Ukrainians are returning home.

“I thank everyone working to facilitate prisoner exchanges. I thank every unit on the front lines that is helping to replenish Ukraine’s exchange pool. I am grateful to all our partners who are assisting in this effort. We remember each and every one of them, and we continue to work every day to bring our people home from Russian captivity,” the President said.

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As reported by Ukrinform, the previous prisoner exchange took place on April 11. At that time, 175 defenders and seven civilians returned to Ukraine. According to the Coordination Headquarters, a distinctive feature of the 72nd exchange was that almost all those released had been in captivity since 2022.

Photo: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War