Ukraine Rescues 84 More Prisoners from Russia, Many Held Since 2014
In a significant development for Ukraine, another large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia has taken place, bringing home 84 Ukrainian nationals, including both military personnel and civilians.
This event marks one of the largest reconsolidations of released prisoners in recent years, carrying profound symbolic and humanitarian importance for the country.According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, this exchange represents a vital step towards reuniting Ukrainians with their homeland, as most of those freed are in need of medical assistance and long-term rehabilitation.
Among the released are individuals who had been detained by Russia since 2014, 2016, and 2017, as well as defenders of Mariupol who fought heroically in fierce battles.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of War Prisoners reports that 33 soldiers and 51 civilians have been liberated from Russian captivity.
A notable aspect of this exchange is that it includes people who were unlawfully sentenced and held long before the full-scale invasion began.
One of the freed individuals was in captivity for over 4000 days, having been detained in Donetsk since 2014.Those released also include persons convicted by occupiers between 2016 and 2021, including three women from the eastern regions of Ukraine; one of them was a primary school teacher imprisoned in 2019.Among the returnees is a 27-year-old man who was unlawfully detained in 2016 at only 18 years old.
The operation also saw the release of heroes from Mariupol garrison, Navy personnel, and Border Guard Service officers, totaling 10 officers.
Two pairs of brothers, held since March and April 2022 respectively, also returned home after years of uncertainty.The majority of those liberated suffer from health issues or disabilities.
The youngest is 26 years old, while the oldest is over 74; the latter spent seven years in Russian detention starting from 2018.
The ongoing humanitarian efforts and reintegration processes highlight the resilience and hope of each of these individuals returning to Ukraine, looking toward rebuilding their lives.This event exemplifies Ukrainian resilience and unwavering commitment to reclaim their compatriots from captivity under the most challenging circumstances.