Ukraine brings back 49 more soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity – photos, video

Ukraine has brought back 49 more military and civilians from Russian captivity, including 23 women for the first time in a long time.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media; Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War; Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights

Quote: "Another homecoming for our people, which we always look forward to and work for.

A total of 49 Ukrainian men and women are at home. These are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Border Service, as well as our civilians. In particular, Leniie Umerova, a girl who was taken hostage by the Russians when she came to take care of her sick father. It was also possible to release another part of the defenders of Azovstal. The Hero of Ukraine, military medic Viktor Ivchuk, is also back home."

The Coordination Headquarters notes that this exchange is special because, for the first time in a long time, Ukrainian women were released from captivity: 23 of them were brought back to Ukraine. In particular, these are Ukrainian civilians who were detained and illegally imprisoned by the Russians before the full-scale invasion.

Ukraine also managed to release women who had been subjected to inhumane treatment, including through forced participation in the so-called "trial" of Mariupol defenders.

Crimean Tatar activist Leniie Umerova, who was captured by Russians while crossing the border into Georgia, has been released. Viktor Ivchuk, the Hero of Ukraine and Colonel of the Medical Service, who led the military hospital in Mariupol during the most difficult times, also comes back home.

Among those released are 23 soldiers and sergeants and 19 officers. Eight are representatives of the Armed Forces (including two from the Territorial Defence Forces), two from the National Police, four border guards, 13 sailors, and 15 defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal from the National Guard. The remaining seven are civilians.

Quote: "The liberated defenders defended our land on the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson fronts.

Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in organising another exchange.

The Coordination Headquarters also emphasises that it is the only authorised body that carries out all processes related to the negotiations and release of our defenders.

All those released from Russian captivity will undergo a medical examination, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation, all due payments for the entire period of captivity and reintegrate into society."

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