Security Service of Ukraine shares video of Ukrainian POWs being freed from captivity

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has shared a video of Ukrainian prisoners of war being released from captivity on 30 December.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine on social media; Denys Prokopenko, Commander of the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, on Facebook; Oksana Borshch on Facebook; Detector Media; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote from the SSU: "A total of 189 Ukrainians have been freed from captivity – exclusive photos and videos by the SSU.

This is the result of the work of the Joint Centre for the Coordination of Search and Release of Prisoners of War, executing decisions of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War."

Details: Denys Prokopenko confirmed that 11 servicemen from the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade have been brought home from Russian captivity.

Quote from Prokopenko: "They endured extremely difficult circumstances for nearly three years. Eighty-six days defending Mariupol, intense battles pushing human limits, captivity, imprisonment, interrogations and torture. They did not surrender, and emerged victorious from this hell."

More details: Additionally, it has been reported that journalist Oleksandr Hudilin, who defended Ukraine as part of the Territorial Defence Forces, and former Espreso media journalist Roman Borshch were also freed.

Zelenskyy shared footage of soldiers first meeting with their families and friends after their release from captivity.

Background: On Monday, 30 December, Ukraine secured the release of 189 defenders through the 11th PoW exchange of 2024. Among them were the following:

• 87 servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including 17 from the Territorial Defence Forces;
• 43 from the National Guard of Ukraine;
• 33 from the State Border Guard Service;
• 24 from the Navy.

Two civilians were freed as well.

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