Two Ukrainian journalists released from Russian captivity
Two journalists and servicemen — Oleksandr Hudilin and Roman Borshch — returned from Russian captivity, reported the editor-in-chief of the Site of the City of Mariupol 0629 Anna Murlykina and the head of the Committee on Freedom of Speech Yaroslav Yurchyshyn.
Oleksandr Hudilin
Oleksandr Hudilin is a journalist from Mariupol.
According to the Mariupol publication 0629.com.ua, he joined the ranks of the Mariupol Territorial Defense even before the start of the full-scale invasion. He served in the 107th Battalion of the 109th Territorial Defense Brigade.
In early April 2022, he was captured by the Russians.
Roman Borshch
Roman Borshch is a former journalist for the Espreso TV channel. He spent 33 months in Russian captivity.
The organization Plast Global reported that Roman had been defending Ukraine since 2018 and was captured in 2022 while defending Mariupol.
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn said that the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War had submitted him for exchange many times — and each time Russia had refused the exchange.
Release of 189 defenders from captivity
Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war on December 30. 189 Ukrainian defenders were returned home. This is one of the largest exchanges since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The released soldiers are the defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and Snake Island. In addition, there are servicemen who defended Ukraine on the Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson axes. Those who were captured in Kursk Oblast were also returned.
In addition, two civilians who were captured in Mariupol were returned from Russian captivity.
Many Ukrainians have been in Russian captivity for over two and a half years. The defenders have acute chronic illnesses, the consequences of mine and explosive injuries, and serious injuries.
In total, 3,956 people have already returned from Russian captivity, including 1,358 in 2024.