Ukraine has released Zmiyinyi island hostages and the crew of “Sapphire” from ruscist captivity

Ukraine has exchanged prisoners with the russian federation according to 29 Ukrainians for 21 russians formula.

Militarnyi reports about it with reference to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk.

The exchange took place by order of the President of Ukraine.

10 servicemen who were held hostage on Zmiyinyi Island were exchanged for 10 invaders who were taken prisoner by the Ukrainian side. It is worth noting that according to the Ministry of Defense of the russian federation, a total of 82 Ukrainians were captured on Zmiyinyi – including border guards and marines. They were taken to Sevastopol.

19 members of the rescue ship “Sapphire” crew were exchanged for 11 russian civilian sailors who were rescued from a sunken ship near Odessa.

“Sapphire” will also be returned to Ukraine. According to the agreements with the ruscists, it will be delivered to one of the ports in Turkey.

Ukrainians were taken prisoner on February 26, 2022. The Russians first captured Zmiyinyi’s garrison and then the “Sapphire” civilian rescue ship. The stolen ship was towed to Sevastopol.