Ukraine has returned yet another group of severely wounded and critically ill defenders to their homeland, who had been in Russian captivity for over two years
This represents a significant step forward in the implementation of the agreements reached during the Istanbul negotiations and serves as a testament to the unprecedented efforts of Ukrainian diplomats and military personnel in the issue of repatriating compatriots from captivity. According to the press service of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, on June 20, Ukraine successfully conducted another exchange of prisoners with Russia. This process was the result of coordinated work by diplomats, military personnel, and volunteers who have been diligently working for months to secure the release of our compatriots. President Zelensky himself commented on this important event, emphasizing that most of the released soldiers had been in captivity for over two years. "Thanks to these agreements, our defenders from Mariupol, Donetsk region, Luhansk region, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv have finally returned home. They are our heroes who defended their homeland, and their return is a crucial step toward restoring the country's integrity and our collective effort to protect Ukraine’s independence," he stated. According to official information, the freed individuals include military personnel from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, Border Service, representatives of the Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, airborne units, and drone units. All these service members are soldiers and non-commissioned officers who have endured tremendous hardships during occupation and captivity. The condition of those who have been freed is particularly concerning. According to the headquarters, most of them have serious injuries or diagnosed severe illnesses. These include injured individuals from Mariupol and other front-line regions who have been in captivity since 2022. The list features patients with epilepsy, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, vision problems, musculoskeletal issues, hernias, and chronic digestive system diseases. Worrying is also the fact that many freed individuals have experienced significant weight loss, indicating harsh conditions of detention and a decline in overall health. The freed heroes are already being transported to medical facilities where they will undergo comprehensive examinations and begin rehabilitation. They will receive necessary medical care, be restored physically, and provided with documents and adequate financial support during the recovery and post-recovery adaptation period. Such comprehensive rehabilitation is a primary task for the state in the context of bringing its citizens home from captivity. The Coordination Center emphasized that the prisoner exchange process under the previous agreements in Istanbul is ongoing, and the number of those released will be announced after all stages of the operation are completed. Exact figures are not disclosed beforehand for security reasons and due to organizational nuances, but it is already clear that the number of liberated individuals has increased. This once again confirms the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit and the unwavering will of the country to return its defenders. Ukraine's leadership continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every serviceman who has fallen into the darkness of Russian captivity has a chance to return home, receive necessary treatment, and support. This is not only a human mission but also a strategic necessity for restoring the nation after the severe trials caused by large-scale aggressive invasion. Ukraine confidently pursues this path, demonstrating to the world its resilience and determination for justice.