Ukraine frees 302 more prisoners of war in second stage of major exchange
Ukraine brought home 302 more people from Russian captivity on Friday, including Armed Forces servicemen and two civilians, completing the second stage of a large prisoner exchange agreed in Geneva, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported.
Among those exchanged are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, border service — privates, sergeants, officers.
They defended Ukraine on various fronts: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, in Mariupol. Most spent more than a year in captivity, some since 2022.
The youngest freed captive is 26 years old, the oldest 60.
The freed defenders will be taken to medical centers for all necessary examinations, further treatment, and medical rehabilitation. They will receive the required assistance, documents, and all state-provided payments.
Background
Under the Geneva agreements, Ukraine and Russia exchanged a total of 500 prisoners of war each. The large exchange took place in two stages — March 5 and 6.
According to the ombudsman, many freed prisoners are in serious psychological condition. Some have critically low body weight. Those released from captivity will undergo full medical examination, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation assistance and all state-provided payments.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 6,922 Ukrainians have been freed from Russian captivity. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that about 7,000 Ukrainians are currently in Russian captivity, while Ukraine holds about 4,000 Russian prisoners. Ukraine is ready for an “all-for-all” exchange.
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