Ukraine returns 230 POWs from Russian captivity

This was reported by Dmytro Lubinets and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

This is the 49th exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the full-scale war. During this time, 2,828 defenders have returned home. On January 3, Ukraine returned 213 soldiers and sergeants and 11 officers. Among them are 130 representatives of the Armed Forces (14 from the Army and 14 from the Navy), 55 from the National Guard, 38 from the State Border Guard Service, and one from the National Police.

In particular, a combat medic from the 36th Detached Mechanized Brigade returned from captivity. While in captivity, she spoke only Ukrainian as a matter of principle. The Russians imitated her transfer for exchange several times, but eventually sent her back to the place of detention.

It is important to note that among those returned from captivity are 48 people who were considered missing and had the status of "missing persons".

Next, they will undergo medical examination, assistance in restoring documents, and rehabilitation.

"We reiterate that Ukraine is committed to bringing all its citizens home and continues to work for this! We are grateful to those citizens and family members of prisoners and missing persons who believe in the state and cherish the hope of returning their heroes. We also thank the state authorities, namely the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Joint Centre for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners of War and Illegally Deprived of Liberty as a Result of Aggression against Ukraine under the Security Service of Ukraine for their joint work," Lubinets wrote.

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that the United Arab Emirates took part in the exchange.

"In the future, the Coordination Centre and all its representatives will work to ensure that repatriations take place!

The Russian side said it had returned 248 people.

• On December 26, Ukraine published the names of the captured soldiers whom Russia refused to return home.