Second phase of Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap returns wounded, ill soldiers
Ukraine secured the release of a group of severely wounded and ill soldiers from Russian captivity on June 10, as part of the second phase of a prisoner exchange agreed upon during talks in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on June 10.
“The exchanges are to continue. We are doing everything we can to find and return every single person who is in captivity. I am grateful to everyone who is contributing to this effort,” the head of state wrote on X.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that the freed soldiers include personnel from the Navy, Army, Territorial Defense, Air Assault Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces, Border Guard Service, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service.
Some had been held for over three years, suffering from severe injuries or illnesses, including amputated limbs, vision issues, abscesses, infections, shrapnel wounds, chronic diseases, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. All will undergo medical evaluations and receive treatment and rehabilitation.
On June 9, Ukraine repatriated a first group of soldiers aged 18 to 25. The exact number of released prisoners was not disclosed, with the Coordination Headquarters stating that figures would be shared only after the exchange process is complete, citing security concerns.
Background
The exchanges stem from agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, where Ukraine and Russia committed to swapping all severely wounded and ill prisoners, as well as those aged 18 to 25, in an “all-for-all” format, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The deal also includes the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers from each side and a Ukrainian list of several hundred deported children.
On June 7, Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky claimed Ukraine had “unexpectedly postponed” the exchange and body repatriation indefinitely.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters and Defense Ministry refuted this, stating Russia was attempting to renege on the agreements.
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