Repatriation of Ukrainian Defenders
In the latest prisoner exchange, 103 Ukrainian service members are returning home after being held by Russian forces. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the release, saying the group includes troops from the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard. Among those freed are defenders of Mariupol and fighters who took part in combat on the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipro, and Sumy fronts.
- Donetsk
- Luhansk
- Kharkiv
- Zaporizhzhia
- Kherson
- Dnipro
- Sumy
'Today, 103 Ukrainian warriors are coming back to their homeland from Russian captivity. They are defenders from the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard,' Zelenskyy said.
The president also thanked all military personnel who contribute to Ukraine's exchange fund, pointing out that their courage is what makes it possible to bring Ukrainian citizens home. 'I am thankful to the team that works every day to free our people,' he added.
The Humanitarian Dimension
Zelenskyy also stressed the need to remember those who are still in captivity: 'We are doing everything we can to bring all our people home.' Previously, Ukraine had already secured the return of 186 individuals from Russian detention. The efforts are ongoing, and Kyiv continues to push for the release of every remaining prisoner.
This latest exchange is an integral part of Ukraine's humanitarian response in a war that has now continued for many months. Each return helps restore family bonds and boosts the morale of the public and the military alike, demonstrating the state's commitment to protecting its citizens. The steady work on prisoner releases underscores Ukraine's systematic approach to handling captivity and safeguarding its troops.