President Volodymyr Zelenskyi reports in a video message.
"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women! We are bringing our people home. The exchange has just ended. Today we have 215 good news. 215! This is definitely a victory for our state, for our entire society. And most importantly - for 215 families who will be able to see their loved ones in safety - Zelenskyi said.
The president named the released Ukrainians.
"Hero of Ukraine Yevgenyi Bova. Hero of Ukraine Lev Pashko. Hero of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko. And a total of 108 fighters of Azov, a total of 188 heroes of Azovstal and Mariupol. Eight were wounded during the Russian terrorist attack in Olenivka. A total of 215 heroes! These are soldiers of the National Guard, our army, the Navy, border guards, police officers, security guards, Security Services of Ukraine employees and others. Dmytro Kozatskyi - the famous "Orest", a photographer from "Azovstal". Mykola Kush and Kostyantyn Nikitenko - Russians sentenced them to the death penalty. Kateryna Polishchuk - "Birdie", Maryana Mamonova, Valentina Zubko, Yana Shumovetska, Zoryana Repetska, Anastasia Chernenka. We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy. We value every life! And we will definitely do everything to save everyone who is in Russian captivity," Zelenskyi said.
The president said that the operation to release the prisoners contained three components - the exchange of Ukrainians for Viktor Medvedchuk, Vladimir Putin's crony, the release of 5 commanders with the assistance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the release of 10 foreigners who fought for Ukraine.
"The first component: we exchanged one fan of Russia for 200 soldiers. At first Russians offered to return 50 of our people in exchange for one of those who were in the detention center of the Security Service of Ukraine. We talked. We insisted. The number of 50 increased to two hundred. They are already in Ukraine. I think this is a good result. Although even more than 200. Because among the released Ukrainian women there are those who are preparing to become mothers," Zelenskyi said.
For the five Ukrainian commanders released with the help of Erdogan, Ukraine gave 55 captured occupiers to Russia.
"The second component - in addition to 200 soldiers, we returned five more combat commanders, for whom we had to fight in the longest, the most difficult way. Russians threatened them the most cruelly. Five superheroes. In exchange for them, we gave 55 who deserve no pity, no sympathy, no words at all. Those who fought against Ukraine. And those who betrayed Ukraine. Those who you and I definitely do not need. Ukraine agreed with Turkey - I spoke about this with President Erdogan - that our five commanders, who are being released from captivity, will be in complete safety, in comfortable conditions and under the personal protection of the President of Turkey. Until the end of the war. But we will ensure that their families have the opportunity to see them. Sergiy Volynskyi, Sviatoslav Palamar, Denys Prokopenko, Oleg Khomenko, Denys Shlega," Zelenskyi said.
Among the released foreigners are citizens of the USA, Great Britain, Morocco, Sweden, and Croatia.
"We managed to free ten foreign citizens who were in Russian captivity. We discussed this with Boris Johnson - he asked for assistance. With American friends. Now they will return home: five citizens of Great Britain, two citizens of the United States, one citizen of Morocco and a citizen of Sweden, one citizen of Croatia. Russians sentenced them to a long prison term or the death penalty. We saved their lives. They will all return home through the mediation of Saudi Arabia," Zelenskyi said.
Also among those released is Mykhailo Vershinin, the head of the Mariupol patrol police.
Journalist Volodymyr Zolkin published a photo of Ukrainians released from captivity.
According to Suspilne media, Mykhailo Dianov, sergeant of the 36th Division, is also among those dismissed.
In a report to Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Andriy Yermak, the head of the President's Office, said that among the dismissed were 124 officers, and in addition to the soldiers of the "Azov" regiment, there were also employees of the National Guard, the Ground Forces, the Navy, the police, the State Border Service, the Security Service, the transport and customs services.
The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War published a complete list of persons who have been returned from Russian captivity. A total of 215 Ukrainian defenders are free now.