Ukraine Has Returned 84 Citizens From Russian Captivity: Among Them, Those Held Captive Since 2014

Ukraine has returned 84 citizens from Russian captivity, including both military and civilians. Some of them had been in captivity since 2014.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that among those released were defenders of Mariupol and citizens who had been held since 2014, 2016 and 2017.

As part of this exchange, 33 soldiers and 51 civilians were released. This is the 67th exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Diplomats from the United Arab Emirates assisted in organizing the exchange.

Among the released civilians are Ukrainians captured and convicted by the occupiers in 2016-2021. There are three women from Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including a primary school teacher who was imprisoned in 2019.

Among those released is also a 27-year-old man who was illegally imprisoned by the occupiers in 2016 when he was only 18 years old.

Soldiers from the Mariupol garrison, the Navy and the State Border Guard Service are also returning home. Ten officers have been released from captivity.

Among those released are two pairs of siblings who had been held by the Russians since March and April 2022.

Most of the released officers have health problems, and some have disabilities.

The youngest among the released is 26 years old, the oldest is 74. He spent the last seven years (since 2018) in a Russian prison.

All those released will receive medical care, undergo full examination, treatment and rehabilitation. The state will provide them with the necessary payments and support for successful reintegration into society after a long stay in isolation.

It is not uncommon for Russian prisoners to return to fight against Ukraine after an exchange. Recently, two Russian servicemen who were exchanged as wounded in the June exchange were captured by the Ukrainian Defense Forces in July.