1,358 Ukrainians freed in 11 prisoner exchanges with Russia in 2024
Фото: Телеграм / Координаційний штаб з питань поводження з військовополоненими
Ukrainian intelligence has reported the number of citizens released from Russian captivity last year. In 2024, 356 more Ukrainians were freed compared to 2023.
Rubryka reports this information, citing the Main Intelligence Directorate.
"The past year was challenging but productive. Notably, 356 more people were released from captivity than in 2023," stated Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian intelligence.
In total, Ukraine conducted 11 prisoner exchanges in 2024, resulting in the release of 1,358 citizens from Russian captivity.
Additionally, according to Budanov, the Coordination Headquarters has officially begun working with the families of civilians. A Council for the Coordination Headquarters has been established, and efforts are underway to create a public council.
"On our initiative, the terms of rehabilitation and support for those freed from Russian captivity have been extended, along with other significant improvements," he added.
Moreover, the number of bodies of fallen defenders returned to Ukraine has also increased.
"During the negotiations, we managed to secure the return of three times the number of bodies of our defenders," stated Andrii Yusov, Deputy Head of the Coordination Staff.
According to Yusov, this progress demonstrates that search efforts and negotiations are becoming increasingly effective.
Additionally, through Qatar's mediation, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets received lists of missing Ukrainian servicemen, along with letters from prisoners of war.
Meanwhile, Russian Federation Ombudsman Tetiana Moskalkova published a list of 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war, claiming that Ukraine allegedly "refuses" to take them back. Dmytro Lubinets denied this accusation.
Furthermore, the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula took place in Montreal, where participants endorsed a Joint Communiqué. The participating states pledged to support the return of all captured and deported Ukrainian citizens.
