Ukraine Makes Another Significant Step Toward Reclaiming Its Heroes from Russian Captivity: Over a Hundred Defenders and Civilians Freed Under Istanbul Agreements
On July 4th, Ukraine marked another crucial milestone in its ongoing efforts to free those who have been held captive by Russia. Under the agreements reached in Istanbul, a new group of Ukrainian defenders and civilians, many of whom suffered severe injuries, health problems, and were unlawfully detained from various regions of the country, were successfully returned home. This complex and prolonged process underscores the commitment of Ukrainian authorities, with President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly confirming on his Telegram channel that this exchange represented yet another step toward justice and the full return of hundreds of Ukrainians. According to Zelensky, many of those released had been in captivity since 2022. Among the freed are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard members, border guards, and employees of the State Special Transport Service. Civilian detainees, who were unfairly sentenced or deprived of liberty, were also included in the exchange. Notably, among the freed are young soldiers, with the youngest only 20 years old and the oldest 59. The release also includes officers, demonstrating the systematic nature of the exchange process, which covers all levels of military and civilian personnel. Of particular importance are the fighters from Mariupol, who have been in captivity since 2022. Many of them were held for over three years, and now they have the opportunity to return home and rebuild their lives while supporting their families. This exchange also accounted for other regions—Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Kherson—where Ukrainian military personnel and civilians have been fighting for their homeland. An official representative of the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner of War Issues emphasized that the exchange process is ongoing according to current conditions. The final tally of released Ukrainians has not yet been announced, as work on all stages of the exchange continues to ensure that everyone eligible and available for release is brought home as soon as possible. Overall, this latest phase of freeing Ukrainian citizens reaffirms the resilience and steadfastness of the Ukrainian people, as well as the unity of the government and military forces in achieving the main goal—returning everyone who was compelled to defend the country from Russian aggression.