During the first stage of a large-scale prisoner exchange in the format of ‘1000 for 1000’ between Ukraine and Russia, 205 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky, noting that among those released are fighters from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
This is reported by Finway
Details of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia
A significant portion of the soldiers had been in Russian captivity since 2022. Among them are defenders of Mariupol, as well as participants in combat operations in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kyiv directions. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that among those released is a National Guard member who was held by the Russians after being captured at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The youngest of the soldiers is 21 years old, while the oldest is 62.
“205 Ukrainians are home. Today, warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning from Russian captivity. This is the first stage of the 1000 for 1000 exchange.”
Preparation for the next stages of the exchange
All released defenders will undergo necessary medical examinations, treatment, and rehabilitation in specialized facilities. They will receive documents and monetary payments as provided by law. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that preparations for the next stages of the prisoner exchange in the format of ‘1000 for 1000’ are already underway.
Recall that U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 8 the achievement of an agreement for a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia – from May 9 to May 11. This agreement included a cessation of hostilities and a large-scale prisoner exchange. Both Kyiv and Moscow confirmed these agreements.