Ukraine frees more severely wounded, ill soldiers from Russian captivity
Ukraine and Russia conducted another stage of a prisoner exchange focused on severely wounded and ill soldiers, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported on Friday.
The exact number of freed service members was not disclosed, with officials promising to release figures after all exchange stages are complete. The group included members of the Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Airborne Assault Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces, State Border Guard Service, and National Guard, all privates or sergeants. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets noted that the oldest freed soldier is 60 years old.
Among those released were defenders of Mariupol, held in Russian captivity since 2022.
The freed soldiers will be sent to medical centers for examinations, treatment, and rehabilitation. They will also have their documents restored and receive financial compensation for their time in captivity.
The Coordination Headquarters stated that the exchange process, agreed upon in Istanbul, is ongoing.
More about exchanges
Following the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange all severely wounded and ill prisoners of war, as well as all soldiers aged 18 to 25, in an “all-for-all” format prioritizing specific categories over numbers.
On June 9, Ukraine repatriated a group of defenders under 25 years old. The following day, the first group of severely wounded and ill soldiers was exchanged.
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