Wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war return to Ukraine

On Friday, 20 June, another exchange of prisoners of war took place between Ukraine and Russia, as part of the agreements reached during the second round of talks in Istanbul.

This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The number of prisoners released is not yet disclosed for security reasons — it will be announced after all stages of the exchange are completed.

«Most of the soldiers returning from Russian captivity today had been there for more than two years. And now they are finally home. I am grateful to everyone who is bringing our people back. We are working to ensure that the exchanges continue until we return all of them. Glory to Ukraine!», Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this time soldiers and sergeants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Navy, Army, Territorial Defence, Air Assault Forces, unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as border guards and National Guard, were released.

Many of them are defenders of Mariupol who have been in Russian captivity since 2022. At the time of their return, most of them had been injured, suffered from health complications or chronic illnesses.

«All of the defenders released today have been injured or have serious medical diagnoses: epilepsy, hypertension, coronary heart disease, vision problems, musculoskeletal disorders, hernias, and chronic digestive diseases. Many of the liberated soldiers have been diagnosed with weight loss», the statement said.

After the release, the soldiers will be taken to medical facilities where they will undergo a full examination, treatment and rehabilitation. Their documents will also be restored and they will be paid their salaries for the time they were in captivity.

On 19 June, another group of soldiers from the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service returned from Russian captivity. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022.

Also on 19 June, during the exchange of prisoners of war, Mykolaiv marines returned to Ukraine.