Ukraine freed 95 defenders from Russian captivity

On July 17, Ukraine carried out another successful exchange of prisoners, returning home 95 defenders. These are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and border guards. This is the 54th exchange between Ukraine and Russia, which was made possible thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian diplomats and the support of international partners.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the release of the defenders, expressing gratitude to the exchange team and the United Arab Emirates for their mediation in this process. "Thankful to our exchange team and the United Arab Emirates for brokering this release. As difficult as it may be, we are looking for everyone who may be in captivity. We must return everyone," he wrote in his statement.

Among those released are 23 soldiers who defended Mariupol, including 13 defenders of "Azovstal". In addition, 41 fighters fought in the Donetsk direction, 9 in Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, 3 each in Kherson and Kharkiv. This group includes 49 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including a participant of the "air bridge" to "Azovstal", 21 national guardsmen, 10 military sailors, 7 territorial defense fighters, 5 border guards, 2 representatives of the State Special Transport Service and one volunteer from the territorial community.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of discharged soldiers in accordance with international humanitarian law. "Employees of our Office are at the place of the exchange in order to monitor compliance with human rights. Then the returned soldiers will eat, receive clean clothes, be examined by doctors, and prescribe the necessary treatment and rehabilitation," Lubinets said.

The representatives of the GUR reported that many of the released fighters have the consequences of injuries and chronic diseases. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022. Among those released is also a defenseman who was considered missing.

This release underlines the indomitable will and efforts of Ukraine in the fight for its citizens and their return from captivity. Each exchange is not only a step towards the release of the defenders, but also a confirmation of the strength of Ukrainian diplomacy and the support of the international community in the fight for the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine.