Ukraine released 130 defenders from russian captivity

Another war prisoner swap has been carried out between Ukraine and russia. 130 Ukrainian defenders are returning home.

Ukraine released its 130 defenders, Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine's President's Office, reports this.

"Another prisoner swap has taken place, and we have managed to bring 130 of our people back home: 126 male defenders and four female defenders. These are warriors from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service and the State Special Transport Service," Yermak wrote.

According to Yermak, among those released from russian captivity, there are 87 defenders of Mariupol, including 71 of those who defended Azovstal steelworks.

There are Ukrainian warriors who had been taken prisoner near Bakhmut and Soledar – 35 servicemen from the Donetsk direction in total.

"Most of the people we are bringing back today have serious injuries. As President Volodymyr Zelensky says, the state must take care of each of them. Each of our heroes should feel that the state cares for them," Yermak concluded.

According to Ukraine's Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, the youngest released is not yet 21 years old, and the oldest will soon turn 64.

Lubinets assured that all the defenders will receive medical assistance and will be able to recover their bank cards and documents.

He also recalled that since the beginning of russia's full-scale war, a total of 1,993 Ukrainians have been freed from russian captivity.