Ukraine brings home 157 from Russian captivity in latest swap – Zelenskyy

Among those freed are service members from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (including Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Air Assault Forces and Air Force), National Guard and State Border Guard Service. The group includes both enlisted soldiers and sergeants as well as officers.

Most of the released defenders were captured during the defense of Mariupol. One National Guard member who was taken prisoner during the Russian seizure of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant also returned home.

In total, 150 service members and seven civilians were repatriated. Of those freed, 139 had been held in Russian captivity since 2022.

A distinctive feature of this exchange is the return of several Ukrainians who had been illegally convicted by Russian courts, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War noted.

The youngest freed defender is 23 years old; he was captured at age 19 during the defense of Mariupol and unlawfully sentenced by a Russian court to life imprisonment. The oldest is 63.

“Today's exchange came after a long pause, and it is critical that we were able to make it happen,” Zelenskyy said. “I thank everyone who works to make these exchanges possible, as well as everyone on the frontline who contributes to expanding Ukraine's exchange fund. Without the determination of our warriors, such exchanges would be impossible. And thus every result achieved by our units is what also sustains the ability to bring Ukrainians home from Russia.”

The exchange follows an announcement earlier on Thursday by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff that delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia, during talks in Abu Dhabi, agreed to a total swap of 314 prisoners — in a 157-for-157 format.

Russian officials stated that, in addition to their soldiers, they received three residents of Kursk Oblast.