Return from captivity: an emotional moment and a symbol of hope in a great exchange
According to the latest data, the 7th stage of the large-scale exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia has ended. This is a landmark event for the entire country, symbolizing not only the return of seriously wounded and seriously ill soldiers, but also a new step in diplomatic negotiations that continue under the auspices of the Istanbul agreements. Videos released by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Ministry of Defense and the State Border Guard Service demonstrate the deep emotions of Ukrainian defenders, their hugs with their relatives, the first calls home and extraordinary scenes of the restoration of human dignity. These are also scenes of the destruction of "rob" - clothes with symbols of the hell experienced in Russian torture chambers, which are burned by the soldiers who returned home. The footage shows servicemen from various units — the Navy, the Land Forces, the Airborne Forces, the Territorial Defense Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service — finally finding themselves in the arms of their families. Most of them had been in captivity for over three years, and this day became a true symbol of hope and renewal for them. The story also captures a scene where experienced fighters pour out their experiences, setting fire to cars with “slaves,” which for a long time reminded them of their unbearable suffering in Russian prisons. Military expert and deputy head of the Coordination Staff Andriy Yusov, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, emphasized the special significance of this event. “This is a special and very symbolic day for Ukraine, because on this day we are returning from captivity the military who performed their duty and defended the country, ignoring international norms and agreements that the Russians violated,” he emphasized. According to him, this is another appeal to the international community to treat our struggle with understanding and support and to remember those who are still in captivity. Yusov also added that it is currently difficult to predict the exact date of completion of the entire exchange process. “The timetable and number of flights depend on all parties and the agreements reached within the framework of the Istanbul negotiations. Ukraine is interested in completing this humanitarian operation as quickly as possible, and all efforts are aimed at ensuring that good news about other stages appears in the near future,” he emphasized. The representative of the GUR assured that the entire negotiating team is working hard on this, and soon Ukrainians will learn about further steps in the return of their relatives and compatriots. This stage of the great exchange is not only an act of humanism, but also a historical symbol of resistance and faith in victory. It is expected that it will become an impetus for a faster completion of the process and will bring the long-awaited victory and the return of our heroes home. This finally confirms that Ukraine will continue to fight for each of its military and civilians, who deserve a dignified return and a fair trial.