Ukraine Returns Heavily Wounded Defenders in Another Major Prisoner Exchange

Today marked another important stage of the prisoner exchange, successfully bringing home heavily wounded and critically ill defenders.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed that the exchange had been conducted in line with the agreements reached in Istanbul.

Among those returning to Ukraine were the servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including members of the Ukrainian Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine.

All released defenders are enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers. They were held in captivity for an extended period under difficult conditions, which substantially deteriorated their health.

Among those liberated are the defenders of Mariupol, who have been in Russian captivity since 2022. Their return marks a significant and meaningful moment for their families and loved ones.

The majority of those released suffer from serious injuries and maladies, including epilepsy, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, vision impairments, musculoskeletal disorders, hernias, and chronic digestive diseases. Many have experienced significant weight loss.

Immediately after their release, the defenders will be transferred to medical facilities for comprehensive examination, treatment, and rehabilitation.

State authorities will provide them with the necessary medical, psychological, and social support.

The released servicemen will also receive restored documents and all entitled payments, including financial compensation for the time spent in enemy captivity.

The exchange process, agreed upon within the framework of the Istanbul agreements, is ongoing. The exact number of individuals released today will be announced after all stages of the exchange are completed.

Yesterday, Ukraine also secured the return of a group of seriously ill servicemen from Russian captivity as part of a new stage of the exchange.

The first stage of the exchange under the Istanbul agreements took place on June 9. Throughout May, the Ukrainian and Russian sides conducted a series of three prisoner exchanges as part of the “1000-for-1000” agreement.