95 Ukrainian defenders released from Russian captivity

This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We continue to bring our people home. Another 95 defenders have been released from Russian captivity. These are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and border guards,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He also thanked the Ukrainian exchange team and the United Arab Emirates for mediating the release.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 49 soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces were released, including a member of the “air bridge” who volunteered to fly a helicopter to Azovstal to assist the units blocked there, and 2 soldiers from the Ukrainian Air Force.

Additionally, 21 National Guardsmen, 10 sailors, 7 servicemen from the Territorial Defense Forces, 5 border guards, 2 from the State Transport Special Service, and 1 defender from a volunteer territorial community unit were also released.

“All of the released servicemen are men: 88 privates and sergeants, and seven officers. Among those who have finally gained their freedom, 23 defended Mariupol, including thirteen Azovstal defenders,” the statement said.

The Coordination Headquarters reported that this marks the 54th prisoner exchange. In total, the headquarters have facilitated the return of 3,405 people from Russian captivity.

The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, released footage showing the initial emotions of the Ukrainian defender upon returning home.

• Earlier, Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, said that he did not believe in the exchange of prisoners under the "all for all" formula in the near future, because he did not see Russia's readiness.