Exchange of prisoners of war with Russia: Ukraine brings back 189 of its citizens – photos, video

Ukraine has brought back 189 of its defenders as a result of a new PoW exchange on Monday, 30 December.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram; Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Quote: "The release of our people from Russian captivity is always very good news for each of us. And today is one of such days: our team managed to bring 189 Ukrainians home.

[We’ve brought back] the military: defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Zmiinyi Island, and servicemen from different frontline areas. They are soldiers, sergeants and officers. National Guard members returned as well, including Azov defenders, border guards, soldiers from territorial defence forces, the Navy and Armed Forces. There were also two civilians who were captured in Mariupol. Each of them has family and friends waiting for them at home. And it is a joy that we managed to bring them back. Today, 189 more families are happy."

According to the Coordination Headquarters, the 11th exchange in 2024 resulted in the release of:

• 87 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (17 of them from territorial defence forces),
• 43 – National Guard of Ukraine,
• 33 – State Border Guard Service,
• 24 – Navy.

Two civilians were also brought back from captivity.

The Coordination Headquarters adds that they have brought back those who were captured in Kursk Oblast.

Many Ukrainian citizens were held in Russian captivity for more than two and a half years. The defenders suffer from acute chronic illnesses, mine-blast injuries, and serious wounds.

This time, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released.

187 українських військовослужбовців та 2 цивільних повернулися з неволі напередодні Нового року pic.twitter.com/2xCSVOgoyn

— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) December 30, 2024

Quote from the Coordination Headquarters: "This is one of the largest exchanges conducted by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War since the full-scale invasion. In total, 3,956 people have been brought back from Russian captivity within the framework of the Coordination Headquarters on behalf of the President of Ukraine, including 1,358 in 2024.

Unfortunately, many Ukrainian citizens, both military and civilians, continue to be held in Russian captivity. The Coordination Headquarters is doing everything possible to continue negotiations and release our people from captivity. We remember each and every one of them."

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