Ukraine returns 140 more defenders from Russian captivity

Some 140 defenders have returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner swap with Russia.

Тhe head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, said this in a post on the messaging app Telegram.

"In the New Year, we not only repel the enemy's missile attacks, but also return our people. This is another big swap that has been carried out – 140 people are returning home," Yermak wrote.

Among them are the wounded, as well as defenders of Mariupol, Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, volunteers of the Territorial Defense Forces from Slavutych, fathers and sons who were in captivity together, as well as military personnel from the Bakhmut area.

Those freed include 82 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 15 from the Territorial Defense Forces, 22 soldiers from the National Guard, 11 from the Navy and ten border guards.

Among them are 132 men and eight women, 22 officers and 118 sergeants and soldiers.

"While they shoot, we fight back, respond and return [our people]. We will return everyone. […] I thank the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Welcome home, my dears," Yermak wrote.

As was reported earlier, 50 defenders returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia on December 1.