Ukraine Returns 277 Defenders From Russian Captivity

Ukraine has secured the return of 277 service members from Russian captivity, including soldiers, sergeants, and officers who defended Mariupol.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the release on Friday, noting that troops from the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Special Transport Service, and the State Border Guard Service are now returning home.

Some of the released personnel had been held for more than two years.

“I thank everyone who made this possible. I am especially grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their mediation,” Zelensky stated.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 246 personnel were released as part of a prisoner exchange, while another 31 were freed outside the exchange process.

The group includes National Guard troops, Navy personnel, soldiers from the Territorial Defense Forces, the State Special Transport Service, the Air Assault Forces, and the Unmanned Systems Forces.

Most of the released are young soldiers born after 2000. Of the total, 268 are enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers, and nine are officers.

This is the fourth exchange of 2025 and the 63rd since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since January 2025, 596 Ukrainians have been returned through formal exchanges, and an additional 53 have been freed outside of these exchanges.

Previous exchanges this year took place on March 19 (175 soldiers), February 5 (150 soldiers), and January 15 (25 Ukrainians).

In addition, 22 seriously wounded personnel were released outside of exchanges on March 19.

Since March 2022, a total of 4,552 Ukrainians have been released as part of prisoner exchanges, with an additional 529 freed through other channels.