Ukraine Returns 186 Citizens from Russian Captivity: 75th Exchange
Ukraine completed its 75th prisoner exchange, bringing 186 citizens home from Russian captivity. This includes 185 military personnel who defended Mariupol and other areas, and one civilian. Some had been held since 2022, including a participant in the «Azovstal» helicopter operation.
Ukraine has successfully conducted its 75th prisoner exchange, resulting in the return of 186 citizens from Russian captivity. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Among those released are 185 servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service, as well as one civilian. The soldiers defended the state in Mariupol and at «Azovstal», as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and Kursk directions. Some of them had been held captive since 2022. More than half of the liberated defenders were captured in 2022, particularly during the defense of Mariupol. Among them is a participant in the unique helicopter operation – an air bridge to «Azovstal».
The released servicemen represent various branches of the military: Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Air Assault Forces, Territorial Defense, Special Operations Forces, and Military Law Enforcement Service. They include privates, sergeants, and two officers. The youngest released person is 26 years old, and the oldest is 62 years old. The civilian Ukrainian had also been held captive since 2022.